West Bromwich Albion are keeping tabs on Barnsley’s star midfielder Callum Styles ahead of the January transfer window but face competition from Premier League outfits Burnley and Sheffield United.
Carlos Corberan’s side managed to get into the playoff spots in recent weeks but a 2-1 defeat at the St. Mary’s Stadium showed the Spanish coach that there is still room for improvement if his men are to get promoted as they dropped down to seventh.
TeamTalk are reporting that the Baggies are hoping to secure the services of Barnsley’s Styles but a number of other European sides are pursuing the Hungarian, including Union Berlin, Anderlecht, Braga and Lens, three of which are playing in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
When the Tykes were relegated down to League One in 2022, the 23-year-old spent a season out on loan with Millwall in the Championship but has since returned to Oakwell where he has scored three goals in 13 appearances under Neill Collins.
The former Bury man also made his debut for the Hungary national team, who he qualified for through his grandparents, and has gone on to make 14 appearances for the Magyars. Styles will likely be at EURO 2024 next year with Hungary too.
It was reported on Saturday morning that West Brom were facing an uphill battle to keep hold of 20-year-old Tom Fellows. The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season and Fellows is wanted by both Southampton and Leicester City.
Perhaps West Brom are already preparing for the loss of the academy product by turning their attention towards Styles this winter.
Writer’s View
This would be a huge coup for West Bromwich Albion and for Corberan in his hopes of getting the Baggies back to the top flight for the first time in three years by adding quality and depth to the midfield.
However, it will be difficult for the West Midlands side to come out on top in the race for the Barnsley man given the number of top sides in Europe and the Premier League that are also chasing his signature.
Deputy Head of Writing
