Opinion: Corberan should rejoin the 23-year-old star at West Brom; the expense will be less than £11 million.
As West Brom hopes to move past their disappointing play-off experience, manager Carlos Corberan will be looking to add players this summer.
After losing to eventual play-off champions Southampton in their semi-final match, West Brom was unable to advance. Even with the dismal conclusion, Corberan and company had a successful 2023–24 season, finishing in fifth position for nearly the whole run.
It will be hoped that Corberan can be supported with some fresh recruits this summer with new owner Shilen Patel in charge. The team should be in the running for promotion again thanks to some excellent additions, even though some important players may go.
There will be astute deals to be made, as there always are throughout transfer windows; the challenge is to identify them. Sorba Thomas is a man that West Brom should be keeping an eye on ahead of Friday’s window opening.
A former celebrity from Corberan
From their days together at Huddersfield Town, Corberan and Thomas know one other quite well. The 25-year-old really played some of his finest football when playing for the Spaniard.
In the 58 games under Corberan’s management, Thomas recorded three goals and sixteen assists on the right side (Transfermarkt). Since the manager’s departure, he has continued to play a significant role for Huddersfield Town, with four goals and nine assists in the 2023–2024 campaign.
Naturally, though, Thomas’s greatest attempts fell short of preventing relegation. The Welshman is among those who ought to be returning to the Championship, but the Terriers are bound for League One.
There are reports that a £750,000 price tag has been established, which should excite West Brom.
Reasonable commerce
It won’t be shocking if Thomas has a ton of Championship admirers at that price. At the level, he has established himself as a true creative star, recording 29 assists in 131 games.
Both Corberan and the winger are fully aware of what they would get from each other. Thomas would have his due opportunity to play for a more ambitious team in West Brom, which may help him reach new heights.
Thomas has lots of time to mature and get better because he is still just 25 years old. He’s previously shown himself in the second division, so his £750,000 price tag should stand out as one of the summer’s best values.
With so cheap of a sum, Thomas should be on Corberan’s shortlist of possible acquisitions as he seeks to lead West Brom back to the Premier League. Hopefully, the Baggies will have the money to spend on larger deals.
