Jamal Lewis is being courted by several second-tier sides, with West Bromwich Albion leading the race for the experienced full-back, as reported by SportsBoom.
Norwich City, where Lewis made his name, and Middlesbrough are also exploring a potential deal, but it is the Baggies who appear most determined to bring the 39-cap Northern Ireland international to the Hawthorns.
Lewis endured a stop-start period at Newcastle, where opportunities were limited under Eddie Howe. A loan spell at Watford in the Championship reignited hopes of regular football, but his most recent loan at São Paulo in Brazil ended in disappointment after he suffered a significant ankle injury just three months in, requiring surgery and an early return to the UK.
That setback ruled him out of action for much of last season and kept him off the international stage as well, with his last appearance for Northern Ireland coming in a Nations League stalemate with Belarus in October 2024.
Despite the interruptions, Lewis remains a player of pedigree. His early career at Norwich City saw him linked with a move to Liverpool, who had a £10 million bid rejected by the Canaries before his eventual transfer to Newcastle. He made 31 Premier League appearances for the Magpies and has racked up 138 Championship outings across his career.
Fit Again and Ready to Return
Now fully recovered, Lewis is eager to find a club where he can re-establish himself. West Brom see him as a player capable of strengthening their defensive options while also adding top-flight experience to their dressing room. Their interest underlines a broader recruitment strategy that blends youth with Championship-hardened players as they target promotion in 2025–26.
With his injury woes behind him, the left-back is said to be prioritising regular football in a competitive environment. While several League One clubs have reportedly expressed interest, Lewis is understood to favour staying in the Championship.
Should a deal with West Brom materialise, it would represent a fresh start for a player who once commanded major Premier League attention. It would also signal intent from Ryan Mason’s side as they seek to build on a solid campaign and push for a return to the top flight.
Writer’s View
This feels like a smart gamble for West Brom. Jamal Lewis has the CV, experience, and raw attributes to be a success in the Championship again—he just needs the right setting to rediscover his confidence and rhythm. With a full pre-season behind him and motivation to reignite his career, he could prove to be an astute free-agent pickup.
For West Brom, this move would strengthen their defensive depth without significant financial risk, and if Lewis can stay fit, it might just be one of the division’s shrewdest pieces of business this summer.
