According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, West Brom have received a £1 million bid from Watford for goalkeeper Ben Foster. Unsurprisingly, the Baggies have indeed rejected the paltry offer from the Premier League club but it does suggest that the 35-year-old could be on his way out of the Hawthorns this summer, which is why reports that Southampton are willing to part with Fraser Forster should be of interest to the West Brom hierarchy.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, 35-year-old Foster was one of a few Baggies players that can hold his head high following last season’s disastrous Premier League campaign, what with the Midlands outfit losing their top-flight status in accumulating just 31 points from their 38 league matches.
However, former England international Foster certainly did his bit in keeping ten clean sheets and shipping just 55 goals over the course of the campaign, further underlining his ability at top tier level.
And Watford are clearly interested in keeping him in the Premier League by making an offer for the goalkeeper, and while it was flatly rejected by the Baggies, one would expect Foster to leave the Hawthorns at some stage this summer.
And that is why West Brom boss Darren Moore should be interested by reports that Southampton are willing to offload Forster during the close season, as the England international remains a hugely adept goalkeeper seemingly in need of a fresh start.
The 30-year-old endured a tricky campaign last time round in losing his place in the starting eleven to Alex McCarthy back in December, this all after making many costly errors in the first half of the season for the South Coast club.
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Compatriot McCarthy then produced the goods to keep Forster out of the team for the rest of the season, thus suggesting that he’ll be the club’s number one under Mark Hughes this season, as such plunging Forster’s future into doubt.
And with the Saints reportedly seeking to get rid of the Englishman, West Brom must be ready to pounce in case Foster departs, as although Forster hasn’t been at his very best in the last few years, there’s clearly a fine goalkeeper in the 30-year-old.
Remember, the shot-stopper was a regular in the England squad just a matter of years ago such were his fine efforts for Southampton – it appears that a fresh start and injection of confidence is needed to take Forster back to that level.
And taking a step down to the Championship in a West Brom side that will be eyeing a return to the top-flight could be exactly what is needed this summer, as Forster seeks the minutes and indeed the opportunity to prove his credentials once again.
Thus, with Foster’s future seemingly away from the Hawthorns, and Forster’s away from St Mary’s, the Baggies must seek to replace the former with the £13.5 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt) this summer.
West Brom fans… what do you think? Let us know!
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