West Brom in transfer talks with Sassuolo as move for Juventus starlet off - rumour

According to Baggies transfer insider EyaWeGew (DOOD), talks are underway with Sassuolo, and it is hoped that a deal will be completed soon. Racic is set for talks with bosses at the Hawthorn over the coming days.

Sassuolo opened up their Serie B campaign at the weekend, drawing 1-1 with US Catanzaro, and Racic was not included in their squad. He was an unused substitute in the 2-1 Coppa Italia win over Cittadella last week, and so his absence on Sunday is something to keep an eye on according to TalkWBA.

If WBA are successful in their pursuit of Racic, then he would fill their final Elite Significant Contribution player spot. An ESC spot is an alternate form of work permit, should they fail to reach the initial requirements of an original work permit.

Racic is a 26-year-old defensive midfielder that has 12 caps for the Serbian national team. He made his debut for the Eagles in 2021, but was not a part of their squad at EURO 2024.

The 26-year-old began his career in Serbia, playing for Red Star Belgrade, but was signed by Valencia for a reported €2.2 million in 2018. During the five years he was contracted to Valencia, he made 70 appearances for them, but also had loan spells with Tenerife, F.C. Famalicão, and S.C. Braga.

Back home in Serbia, he is highly rated, and has been likened to former Fulham and West Brom boss Slavisa Jokanovic. Former Real Madrid and Valencia midfielder Predrag Mijatovic spoke highly of him during an interview in June 2018 as well, and those words will be of encouragement to WBA fans, who could get excited about another potential new signing. "Racic is most similar like Slavisa Jokanovic, the real 'six'," said Zvezdan Terzic, Red Star Belgrade's general director to MozzartSport.com in December 2017

"He is a defensive midfielder with an extraordinary jump, great game review and incredible intelligence. He will just demonstrate his quality in the future."

As a result of West Brom's interest in Racic, EyaWeGew said that any deal for Joseph Nonge Boende is off. This was backed up by Belgian football journalist Sacha Tavolieri. Last week, Tavolieri broke the news that West Brom had been in direct contact with Juventus over Boende. A bid was reportedly made which would be a loan until the end of the season without an option to buy but no agreement was made.