Ryan Mason suffers blow as West Brom transfer offer ‘turned down’ by top flight ace for ‘bumper’ deal
West Brom have impressed in the window since Ryan Mason arrived, but now EFL Analysis can confirm the Baggies have been snubbed for Greek giants in their latest pursuit.
Newly appointed West Brom head coach Ryan Mason has wasted little time scouting for recruits in his first months in charge at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies’ summer transfer window business has been impressive so far, after West Brom signed Nat Phillips from Liverpool in a major coup for the club.
Phillips chose West Brom over a return to former loan outfit Derby County because of the club’s Premier League promotion aspirations for the upcoming 2025/26 Championship campaign.
Unfortunately for Mason, West Brom have suffered a transfer blow as a defensive target has snubbed the Baggies’ offer in favour of a “bumper” move to Greek giants AEK Athens.
- READ MORE: Ryan Mason outlines the ‘first thing’ he needs from his West Brom players, he already ‘feels at home’
Hearts full-back James Penrice snubs West Brom offer for AEK Athens move
Although Mason’s West Brom priorities this summer include using his Spurs advantage to attract transfers, the Hawthorns outfit have been talent spotting in the Scottish Premier League this summer.
West Brom missed out on Josh Mulligan after the Dundee midfielder agreed terms with SPL rivals Hibernian after the Scotsman held talks with the Baggies.
As well as Mulligan, EFL Analysis can confirm that West Brom have missed out on Hearts full-back James Penrice.
We revealed earlier in the window that West Brom wanted to sign Penrice from Hearts, with Championship rivals Southampton and Watford also looking to secure the Scotsman’s services.
Now, in another transfer blow for Mason, EFL Analysis can confirm via our Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Penrice has turned down West Brom, instead accepting a deal with Greek giants AEK Athens.
After we revealed earlier in the summer that The Baggies had launched a bid for the Hearts full-back, the 26-year-old was ready to move to The Hawthorns, but AEK came in for him on Thursday (July 3) and trumped their offer.
Penrice agreed to the bumper three-year deal from AEK Athens, and is now due for a medical in the Greek capital.
When analysing Penrice’s stats from last season at Hearts, it’s evident that West Brom have missed out on a stellar talent, in an area of the squad that the Baggies must improve on.
- READ MORE: West Brom must target ‘brilliant’ Championship free agent this summer, he has a point to prove in 2025/26
Ryan Mason misses out on Callum Styles upgrade for West Brom
West Brom appointed Mason earlier in the summer, and the squad he will take into their opening day fixture at home to Blackburn Rovers will be vastly different from the one which interim boss James Morrison chose for the 5-3 final day win against Luton Town.
One Baggies star who featured in the Luton win was versatile squad member Callum Styles, who predominantly operates as a left-back for West Brom.
Although the former Sunderland fringe player scored twice and lodged an assist against the Hatters to condemn them to League One relegation, the stats show Penrice would’ve been an evident upgrade on Styles.
| Key statistic | James Penrice in 24/25 | Callum Styles in 24/25 |
| Games played | 33 | 34 |
| Goals + Assists | 2 + 5 | 3 + 1 |
| Chances created | 56 | 16 |
| Successful crosses | 69 | 10 |
| Duels won | 178 | 159 |
Penrice trumps Styles in offensive and defensive metrics, and would’ve added European experience to the Baggies squad after featuring eight times for Hearts in the Europa League (2 appearances) and Conference League (6 appearances) campaigns last season.
Blackburn boss Valerian Ismael added extra mettle to the opening day fixture after Ismael’s Hawthorns jibe towards his former employers.
As a result, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive clash to kick off West Brom’s 2025/26 Championship campaign.
Unfortunately for Baggies boss Mason, it will be without the impressive full-back Penrice.
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