The BBC recently confirmed that goalkeeper Ben Foster’s move to Watford has been completed for an undisclosed fee.
The English shot-stopper has been between the sticks at the Hawthorns for the past 7 seasons, suffering relegation from the Premier League with the club last time out.
The 35-year-old has now jumped at the chance to regain his top flight status by joining Javi Gracia’s Watford.
Following the departure of Boaz Myhill earlier in the summer, this leaves the Baggies with only one recognised goalkeeper in the first team picture. The 25-year-old Sam Johnstone arrived on a permanent deal from Manchester United earlier this summer.
The new arrival impressed with Aston Villa last season and will expect to start the new campaign as Darren Moore’s no. 1.
The dearth of goalkeeping options currently available to West Brom though means that at least one more shot stopper will need to be brought in this summer if the club are to avoid going into the new season woefully understocked.
Tim Krul
As promising a talent as Sam Johnstone is, 25 is young for a goalkeeper, and it is a position that often calls for experience.
Competition for places is also a positive, so if West Brom can bring in an experienced ‘keeper who will push the young Englishman for first team duties, then that can only be a good thing.
Tim Krul, the 30-year-old Dutchman, is available on a free transfer this summer having been released by his previous club Brighton.
Aside from a few brief loan spells across Europe, Krul has struggled to make himself the first choice option at a club since he was last the no. 1 at Newcastle, back in the 2014/15 season.
Since then, Krul has seen his stock continually decline. At 30 he still has time to resurrect his career though, and a move to the Hawthorns could be the lifeline he needs.
Even if Krul fails to once again hit his previous heights, he’s a solid back up option for the Baggies to have.
Considering the scale of the rebuild facing Darren Moore this summer, any opportunities to bring in quality reinforcements for free must be taken.
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