26-year-old set for Greece move after West Brom, Southampton, Watford transfer interest

West Brom, Southampton and Watford have all had eyes on James Penrice but the Scot is set to join AEK Athens, as per Fabrizio Romano.

West Brom, Southampton and Watford are all gearing up for an important Championship season. WBA hope to bridge the gap to the top six, the Saints are eager to bounce back to the Premier League, and the Hornets want to get back into the promotion hunt.

All three sides could do with new additions to help them achieve these goals, and business has begun for many with the window in full swing.

One man linked with all of West Brom, Southampton and Watford before the start of the transfer window was Hearts star James Penrice.

However, as per Fabrizio Romano, the sought-after Scottish left-back is set for a move elsewhere.

Writing on X, transfer guru Romano has said that Penrice is set to swap Hearts for Greek side AEK Athens. A deal has been agreed and the move is expected to be completed shortly.

It remains unknown whether any of WBA, the Saints or the Hornets made firm efforts to bring Penrice in, but any interest will be brought to an end by his move to AEK.

A solid target heads elsewhere

Penrice made a name for himself in Scotland in spells with Partick Thistle and Livingston before his move to Hearts last summer.

His fine form with the Jam Tarts really caught the eye over the 2024/25 campaign, hence the interest from West Brom, Southampton and Watford.

Playing as a full-back or wing-back, the 26-year-old man aged two goals and seven assists in 46 games across his maiden campaign with Hearts. Now, he takes on a new challenge with a surprise move to Greece despite English interest.

West Brom focus will turn to other options

West Brom could do with a new left-back and Penrice would have made for a great option. However, they will now have to turn their focus elsewhere as the Scot moves to Greece.

Callum Styles looks like he could become the favoured option with Torbjorn Heggem likely to move into a central role after time at left-back last season.

Gianluca Frabotta remains on the books but his struggles since signing last summer means an exit feels likely. In that even, new cover and competition for Styles will be required, though it seems Penrice will not be the man for the job amid this new development.

‘There are different ways to win games’ – Ryan Mason drops hint over West Brom tactical plans

West Brom can forget Brooks by signing “fearless” star who’s “like Neymar”

Away from Nathaniel Phillips joining Ryan Mason’s ranks, it’s been somewhat of a quiet summer so far at West Bromwich Albion as far as incomings are concerned.

It’s definitely been hectic surrounding outgoings, however, with Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Semi Ajayi all exiting one after the other, having failed to agree on extended contracts at the Hawthorns.

The brand-new Baggies boss must have thought he’d won himself his second big buy when it was reported that AFC Bournemouth winger David Brooks was likely to join his camp.

But, no such deal has got off the ground, leaving the promotion hopefuls back at square one with who to bring in to boost their chances of moving up to the Premier League.

Brooks’ collapsed West Brom deal

In a drastically sharp change of events, Brooks – who had reportedly completed a medical at the Hawthorns – has now seen a move to West Brom fall through.

This would have been an ideal signing for Mason to strengthen his numbers in attack in the wake of Diangana leaving the building, with the Welshman a top performer in the Championship in the not-so-distant past.

Just two seasons back, the AFC Bournemouth number seven proved himself to be an instant hit out on loan at second-tier promotion chasers Southampton, as seen in a whirlwind return of two goals and six assists coming his way from just 20 outings at St. Mary’s.

That bumped up his overall tally in the division to a sublime 11 goals and 16 assists, with Brooks’ adaptability to play as a left winger or as an attacking midfielder making him even more of a sterling, short-term pick-up.

An unfortunate twist in the tale has stopped this promising deal from occurring, though, but the Baggies could win themselves a dream alternative if this exciting starlet is loaned in instead.

West Brom’s “fearless” Brooks alternative

Mason might as well put his Tottenham Hotspur connections to good use from the Hawthorns hot seat.

This might well prove to be a great weapon on West Brom’s end, with rumours circulating last month that Spurs’ teenage sensation Mikey Moore is being eyed up by the West Midlands side.