West Brom target one January signing to stave off relegation
Published:Roberto Di Matteo is contemplating selling six players in the January transfer window in order to release some funds to help West Brom in their quest to remain in the Premier League.
West Brom began the season at 1/1 in the Premier League betting odds to be relegated, but an impressive start which has included a win at Arsenal and a draw at Old Trafford has seen this price lengthen to 6/1.
But they are still only seven points clear of the relegation places and Di Matteo recognises that further reinforcements may be required in January to ensure that they are not sucked closer towards the bottom three.
Therefore, he seems prepared to sacrifice Luke Moore, Roman Bednar, Abdoulaye Meite, Leon Barnett, Gianni Zuiverloon and Joe Mattock if the right offers come in.
However, he is not expecting to make man-for-man replacements and would be prepared to spend all funds on one player if it could bring a new dimension to their play.
Di Matteo said: “With all transfers you need a bit of luck.
“If we stay injury-free maybe we’d like to add one more player that can give us an extra dimension – but they come at a price.”
West Brom are currently on 22 points after 16 Premier League games and it is widely agreed that teams are certain to be safe once reaching the 40-point barrier.
The Baggies travel to Midlands rivals Aston Villa on their next step towards reaching this goal and are 11/4 to take the three points.
However, West Brom have failed to win away to Villa since a League Cup game in the 1981/82 season.
This includes two defeats from four meetings at Villa Park in the Premier League, with Villa winning 2-1 on each occasion.
Aston Villa’s betting odds are 1/1 to beat West Brom with another 2-1 victory priced at 7/1.
A £10 bet on Aston Villa beating West Brom 3-2 would return £250. New Ladbrokes customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
