David Sullivan has been gifted an ideal opportunity to sell Robert Snodgrass with the West Ham United outcast wanted by West Bromwich Albion in a permanent January transfer.
What’s the word?
According to the Express & Star, Snodgrass has emerged as a potential option for West Brom to explore in the mid-season market as Sam Allardyce plans to strengthen the spine of his new side.
Allardyce has placed a defender, defensive midfielder and striker high on his list of positions to fill, and he is determined to add quality options who have the experience and character needed to survive a relegation fight.
Snodgrass is considered as a potential addition who can bring a positive influence both on and off the pitch, with West Ham willing to sell the 33-year-old before his £40,000-per-week contract expires in the summer.
Albion expect to be able to sign Snodgrass for a nominal fee given his impending status as a free agent and as he has only been given three starts across all competitions and played a mere four minutes in the Premier League under David Moyes thus far this season.
The Baggies would prefer a permanent transfer over a loan deal as they already have Conor Gallagher occupying one of their two domestic loan slots, and they wish to use the other to sign Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury for the remainder of the campaign.
Snodgrass had already been tipped for an uncertain future at the London Stadium beyond the January window as Moyes looks to strengthen his squad, and was of interest to Celtic last summer who have been backed to revive their position this month.
Ideal chance to cash-in
Sullivan may not get many more opportunities to sell Snodgrass before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, at which point he will not be able to recoup anything for the £3.5m-rated midfielder who has become a forgotten man in Moyes’ Premier League squad.
The Irons must explore West Brom’s interest in the winter market if the Hammers wish to avoid losing Snodgrass for free, as it is clear that the 33-year-old has no immediate and pressing role to play in Moyes’ plans outside of the cup competitions.
Next Monday’s trip to non-league side Stockport County in the FA Cup, therefore, could be Snodgrass’ final game in claret and blue, yet he may have already made his final appearance as Allardyce would no doubt be keen for the former Scotland international not to be cup-tied.
Snodgrass has proven that he still has something left in his locker with two goals and an assist in the Carabao Cup this season, while contributing five goals and five assists in 24 Premier League fixtures last term as West Ham’s second-most influential player.
AND in other news, David Moyes has dodged a huge bullet as West Ham dealt blow in bid to sign an 11-goal target.