West Brom could sign their next Matheus Pereira with £10m bold summer transfer coup

West Bromwich Albion are approaching an important transfer window as the club seeks to address a host of problems within its current squad.

The Baggies will be looking to appoint a new head coach before all else with the search still ongoing for Tony Mowbray’s successor, but transfer business won’t be long behind. It could even take place before the next manager is appointed as Albion’s recruitment process doesn’t often directly involve whoever is in the dugout.

West Brom confirmed earlier this week the news we’ve all been expecting, that Grady Diangana, John Swift and Semi Ajayi will be departing The Hawthorns at the end of their contracts. Prized academy product Tom Fellows could leave this summer, too, as the winger has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs.

With so many first team players set to exit the club, Albion will need to sign suitable replacements. It won’t be easy to get every decision right but the recruitment staff must try their very best as the consequences could be the difference between achieving promotion back to the Premier League or remaining in the second division for a while longer.

Signing someone with top-tier pedigree would be a wise move, especially an individual who can lift fans off their seats, much like former Albion star Matheus Pereira did a few years ago. The Brazilian scored 20 goals and made 26 assists in 77 appearances for the Baggies before leaving for Al-Hilal in a mega £25 million deal.

West Brom should target stunning £10m Bournemouth swoop

Although there aren’t many or any players out there who could fill the void Pereira left in 2021, Birmingham World has been searching for someone who could have a similar impact. Now, he may seem like a rogue choice, but AFC Bournemouth star David Brooks could be a superb option who makes perfect sense for West Brom to try and sign.

Brooks may not have dazzled with his numbers at Bournemouth this season as he has fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara, James Tavernier and Ryan Christie, but he’s still shown signs of class when he’s had opportunities.

Last campaign was a clear example as Brooks was loaned to Southampton in the Championship, where he scored two goals and made five assists in 901 minutes of action. At that point, the versatile winger, who can play on either side or as a number 10, was trying to return to his best form almost two years on from a cancer scare.

Back in October 2021, Brooks was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma before thankfully being given the all clear in May 2022. The Welshman displayed incredible perseverance to get back to full health after such a terrifying diagnosis, something that delayed his progression in football.

Such character and love for the game is so important and Brooks could offer that at The Hawthorns. His minutes haven’t been ideal at Bournemouth but he’s proven in the past that he’s got superb talent on the ball and brilliant technical ability – as shown by his wand of a left foot and dangerous crossing.

West Brom need an attacking midfielder and a winger this summer, so signing Brooks could kill two birds with one stone. The Baggies would still need to sign two players for each position but Brooks’ versatility could at least provide cover for the other role if somebody were to get injured.

Not only that, but Brooks could have the quality to be Albion’s star man on his own. The 27-year-old may not be blessed with the best pace but he’s got great ball control and has a great eye for a pass. In our opinion, Brooks is exactly what Albion need.

It awaits to be seen how high of a transfer fee Bournemouth would demand to let Brooks go, but, as he’s entering the final 12 months of his contract, he could be available for a snip. Brooks’ current market value, as per Transfermarkt, is around £10 million.