West Brom contract talks as 'big chance' Southampton pair return, Yann M'Vila latest

West Brom celebrated a 2-0 win over Cardiff City at The Hawthorns on Tuesday, and now have to refocus for the weekend.

The Baggies defeated the Welsh outfit by two goals as Mikey Johnston scored inside 30 seconds and then Andi Weimann made sure of the victory with an effort in the 80th minute. West Brom remained fifth with the victory but narrowed the gap to eight points on Ipswich Town and have a safety net of four points over those outside the play-offs.

A home match against Southampton in front of the Sky Sports television cameras on Friday night is up next. Here’s the latest West Brom headlines on Wednesday, February 14. 

Contract talks underway

Carlos Corberan has revealed that the Baggies are making attempts to tie down the futures of two of their players.

Alex Mowatt and Cedric Kipre both spent time away from the club last season. The pair had loan spells at Middlesbrough and Cardiff City respectively, but have returned to The Hawthorn’s with a new lease of life.

Both Kipre and Mowatt are out of contract in the summer and now WBA are hoping to extend their stay at the club. The manager has revealed that the hierarchy are making an attempt to keep them at the club, and that he is not involved in negotiations. 

Speaking to the Express & Star, Corberan said “It is something I know the club is having conversations with them, to see if the club’s targets – with the players we want, want to keep working with us so that in both parts we have the desire to keep working together.

“Important too is the financial expectation of the players is the same as the financial possibilities of the club. Those are the two things that need to be managed.

“But I know the club is having conversation with the players, we know many finish the contracts and I think it’s something in the next weeks or months will happen.

“But I am not having the conversation as it is not one of my targets as the coach. I work very aligned with the club, but I am not managing any type of conversation.”

West Brom have other players such as Nathaniel Chalobah, Adam Reach, Matt Phillips, Erik Pieters and Martin Kelly who are also out of contract in the summer of 2024. The club recently tied down academy product Tom Fellows to a new deal amid interest from Everton and Leicester City. 

‘Big chance’ midfielder returns

Southampton are set to welcome back Flynn Downes to the fold on Friday night. The on-loan West Ham midfielder has been a key cog in the Southampton midfield this season, playing 23 times with two assists and one goal. 

Downes was absent for the Saints as they saw their 25-man unbeaten record ended by Bristol City. Southampton were overtaken by Leeds United who now occupy the second automatic promotion spot.

When asked if Downes and Adams will be available, Russell Martin said to the Daily Echo: I hope so. There’s a big chance so we’ll have to wait and see.

"In a game where a team is so good in transition like this, Flynn is a massive loss. When you take him out, our team looks a little bit different athletically.”

Yann M’Vila latest

A visa issue is holding up the expected arrival of midfielder Yann M’Vila. There have been no major changes to the situation, but the club is working towards it a resolution. Carlos Corberan admitted that he hoped an update would come on Wednesday because midfield is an area in which West Brom need options after the season-ending injury to Jayson Molumby. 

The 33-year-old worked with Corberan at Olympiacos and has been a free agent since the summer of 2023. M'Vila has 22 caps for the French national team and played in the Premier League for Sunderland.

"Still we are in the same point," Corberan responded when asked about the situation.

"The club is working on it, but there is still no date. Hopefully Wednesday we know something more in detail because this is still one position we wanted to strengthen with the injury of Molumby.