West Brom must hurry to land £6m-rated Championship starlet as Norwich City eye deal – opinion
West Brom must hurry to land £6m-rated Championship starlet as Norwich City eye deal – opinion.
This summer, West Bromwich Albion are expected to bring in a large number of new players.
West Brom have made a fantastic start to the summer transfer window by signing centre-back Nat Phillips from Liverpool and striker Aune Heggebø from Brann for a combined fee of around £7.75 million.
As a result, the Ryan Mason era is off to a good start, though the Baggies have only scratched the surface of what they want to achieve in the transfer market.
Grady Diangana and John Swift’s replacements have yet to be signed following their free agent exits, and Albion are understood to want to add more depth on the wings, at centre-back, and between the sticks.
Who could West Brom target in those positions? Mason is expected to cash in a favour at former club Tottenham Hotspur by bringing Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, and Jamie Donley to The Hawthorns on loan. There have also been links to Montreal’s George Campbell and Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp. However, there is one player who could be a better signing than any of them, and Albion would not have to pay any transfer fees.
West Brom could swoop for £6m-rated winger
Tyrhys Dolan, who is now a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers, is arguably the ideal signing for Albion this summer. Valerian Ismael’s side has confirmed that Dolan turned down a new contract in order to pursue new opportunities, and he has yet to sign with a new club.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Dolan will not be returning to Blackburn and has already received offers from overseas, as well as strong interest from several Championship teams. West Brom could be one of those, but it has yet to be confirmed.
Albion should be looking into deals, regardless of whether they have already done so. Dolan, primarily a right winger but also capable of playing on the left, as a centre forward, or as an attacking midfielder, could be an excellent option for Mason.
Versatility is essential in today’s game, and Dolan is comfortable in a variety of roles. Since his senior debut for Blackburn in 2020, Dolan has 26 goals and 22 assists in 210 appearances across all competitions.
The 23-year-old, who has a current market value of around €7 million (£6 million) according to Transfermarkt, had his best season to date in 2024/25, scoring seven goals and assisting six in 44 Championship games.
Norwich could challenge West Brom for Dolan deal
West Brom will face competition to sign Dolan, with Championship rivals Norwich City among those interested, according to a recent Football League World report. The Canaries, like Albion, are looking to improve their forward ranks following a disappointing 13th-place finish last season.
Dolan has the potential to propel West Brom or Norwich back into play-off contention. Last season, the Preston North End academy product averaged 1.63 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and his 0.2 expected goals per 90 put him in the top 30% of fellow wingers.
Even if a transfer fee was required, Dolan is a player that many Championship clubs would consider. The fact that he is available for free makes him even more desirable, and West Brom should move quickly to avoid disappointment.
Even if a transfer fee was required, Dolan is a player that many Championship clubs would consider. The fact that he is available for free makes him even more desirable, and West Brom should move quickly to avoid disappointment.
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