West Bromwich Albion winger Tom Fellows has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, despite strong Premier League interest over the summer.
The highly-rated 21-year-old was the subject of multiple bids during the transfer window, with both Southampton and Ipswich Town reportedly offering between £10 million and £11 million for the talented youngster. However, West Brom rejected the advances, determined to hold on to one of their most promising academy graduates. Fellows has repaid that faith with an excellent start to the season, providing four assists in his six Championship starts so far.
Fellows, who recently netted his first competitive goal for England’s under-21 side, is pleased with his progress at The Hawthorns. Speaking to Sky Sports, he credited manager Carlos Corberan for his development and expressed his excitement about the club’s promotion prospects.
“He [Corberan] gave me my opportunity so obviously I’m really thankful for the chance to play and to prove I can perform at this level,” Fellows said. “He has helped me a lot. It’s a lot of detail and a lot of stuff to take in, but you get used to it after a little bit. It’s like, if you didn’t have that sort of detail, it would be more difficult, you know. It is why the team are playing so well now.”
Fellows acknowledges the tough nature of the Championship but believes West Brom have made a strong start and can build on it. “The Championship is so tough and doesn’t even really get going until probably around Christmas sometimes, but you’ve got to be in amongst it to have a chance. It’s been a really good start, but we know we’ve still got a long, long way to go. Hopefully, we can keep going,” he added.
Reflecting on last season’s near-miss in the push for promotion, Fellows highlighted how the disappointment has driven the team’s desire for success this time around. “After coming so close last season, it definitely fuels you a bit to want to go that one step further. To get there at the club I’ve grown up in would really feel like the biggest achievement possible,” he said.
Who Is Tom Fellows?
Tom Fellows started his career at West Bromwich Albion, progressing through the club’s academy. He made his senior debut for the club in the 2021-22 season, having previously impressed at youth levels with his technical skills and versatility on the wing.
Although primarily known as a winger, Fellows has also been deployed as a forward, and his performances have caught the eye of several top clubs. In addition to his club career, he has represented England at various youth levels, and in 2024, he scored his first goal for the England under-21 national team.
Despite interest from Premier League clubs, Fellows remains an important part of West Brom’s ambitions for promotion.
Writer’s View
West Brom’s decision to keep hold of Tom Fellows despite significant Premier League interest looks to be a masterstroke. The young winger has been instrumental in the team’s early-season success, and his contributions on the pitch have justified the club’s determination to retain him. With four assists in six games, Fellows is proving his worth and showing why clubs like Southampton were so keen to secure his services.
However, it’s crucial for West Brom to maintain this momentum. While Fellows’ commitment is clear, the lure of the Premier League will continue to circle if Albion fail to achieve promotion this season. For now, keeping Fellows at The Hawthorns is a win, but the club must capitalize on his talent and push hard for promotion to avoid losing him in the next transfer window.
