West Bromwich Albion defender Torbjorn Heggem is on the brink of a £10 million move to Serie A side Bologna.
The Norwegian centre-back, twice named the club’s player of the season, is set to end his time at The Hawthorns little more than a year after arriving.
Record Sale Boosts Albion’s Transfer Hand
The deal, which includes a sell-on clause, represents a huge profit for Albion, who signed Heggem from Swedish club IF Brommapojkarna for around £525,000 last summer. His commanding performances saw him start all but one Championship fixture last season and earn regular call-ups to the Norway national team.
Bologna’s pursuit began earlier in the summer with a £6.5 million approach, but Albion held firm for a higher fee. Talks accelerated in recent days, and the 26-year-old was left out of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Derby County to finalise the move in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. His absence saw academy product Alex Williams handed a start, with Harry Whitwell named on the bench.
The incoming funds will be vital for head coach Ryan Mason as he shapes his squad before the 1 September deadline. Albion’s summer business has already included three signings totalling around £7 million, with defenders Nat Phillips and George Campbell joining to strengthen the back line. However, financial fair play considerations remain a factor in their recruitment strategy.
Filling the Gap
Heggem’s exit leaves Mason with just three senior centre-back options in Phillips, Campbell and Caleb Taylor following Kyle Bartley’s recent retirement. Whether Albion will move for another defensive signing remains to be seen, though midfield reinforcements are also under consideration with Alex Mowatt, Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite currently the only established options.
The fee marks Albion’s biggest sale since Matheus Pereira joined Al Hilal for £16 million in 2021 and is viewed as a significant win in their profit and sustainability model. It offers Mason the flexibility to target multiple positions should opportunities arise in the closing weeks of the window.
For Heggem, the move caps a rapid rise since his switch from Sweden. His consistency, aerial dominance and leadership made him a fan favourite in a single season at The Hawthorns, and he now faces the challenge of adapting to one of Europe’s top leagues with Bologna.
Writer’s View
This is a bittersweet moment for Albion. Losing a player of Heggem’s calibre is a blow, particularly so close to the start of the season, but the financial upside cannot be ignored. The club’s ability to turn a modest investment into a £10 million sale demonstrates smart recruitment and strengthens their position in the market.
The next step is ensuring the funds are used wisely to maintain momentum under Mason, with defensive depth and midfield balance likely to be key priorities in the weeks ahead.
