According to Fabrizio Romano on Twitter (X) Everton are interested in signing West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows this summer.
Fellows has broken into the Baggie’s first team this season, after a loan spell at League Two side Crawley Town the season prior. The midfielder has played 17 games for Carlos Coberan’s side this season and scored his first goal for the club at the weekend against Aldershot Town in the FA Cup.
Everton’s budget has been boosted by their new owners 777 Group after a torrid last few months. The Toffee’s new ownership are monitoring Fellows’ situation and are considering potentially signing and then loaning him back to West Brom.
Fellows contract with the Baggies runs out in June, therefore the Merseyside club can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him now, and he can sign for the club on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Albion are keen to keep the midfielder, and talks have been ongoing to try and get him to commit to the club. There is no agreement with Everton as of yet despite interest. Fellows could still commit his future to West Brom, who currently sit in fifth in the Championship.
The prospect of promotion with his boyhood club may be something that interests the youngster. Automatic promotion is becoming near impossible this season, but a route to the Premier League through the play-offs is certainly attainable. Albion are currently three points ahead of Hull City, who sit just outside the play-off places in seventh.
777 group are keen to turn the tide in Merseyside after a tough few months with Sean Dyche’s side currently fighting to stay in the Premier League after a 10-point deduction earlier this season for FFP breaches. The Toffees sit 17th in the table, three points ahead of Luton Town who have a game in hand.
Fellows is a versatile young midfielder and has operated on either wing as well as the centre of midfield during his time in the midlands. A decision could be made in the coming weeks due to the contract situation of the player. The Baggies are expected to keep trying to convince him to stay, despite the new interest from the Premier League side.
Writer’s View
Fellows is a talented youngster, so it comes as no surprise that Everton are targeting him. The lure of the Premier League at present is usually too tough to turn down, leaving Albion with an uphill battle to convince him to stay. It may suit all clubs involved if 777 group are to sign the midfielder this summer and then loan him back to the Championship side for the whole of next season.
It’s a smart deal for Dyche’s side to do considering that they could be getting a highly-rated homegrown midfielder on a free transfer.