Why West Brom must ward off attention from Besiktas and retain Nacer Chadli
Turkish giants Besiktas are keen on signing West Brom forward Nacer Chadli but the Championship side have slapped a price tag of €19.5m on the player’s head.
Chadli, a Belgium international, who played a key part in his national side’s third-place finish at this summer’s World Cup, has a release clause that allows him to leave The Hawthorns after the club got relegated from Premier League football. (Telegraph)
Despite their downfall, the club have placed a hefty price tag on Chadli but that has not bothered Besiktas in making a move for the 29-year-old. In fact, Besiktas want to sign the West Brom winger on loan with the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. (Hurriyet)
However, West Brom must try their best to keep hold of Chadli, who joined the Baggies two years ago from Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgian enjoyed a successful debut season for the Baggies, as he scored 5 goals and assisted 5 more in 31 Premier League appearances during the 2016/17 season.
However, the last season didn’t go according to the script for the 29-year-old. He endured an injury-hit campaign and could only manage 5 Premier League appearances throughout the 2017/18 season. He failed to make an impact during the limited appearances and with the entire squad royally underperforming, the Baggies finished at the bottom of the Premier League and got relegated.
But Chadli did manage to make an impact in the World Cup where he played as a left wing-back for Roberto Martinez’s side. The Belgian looked fresh and fit, and with his performances, he certainly answered his critics in Russia. A player of his quality must surely be kept at the club if Darren Moore wants to fight for Premier League promotion.
Chadli can play anywhere along a front-three and he can also effectively operate as a wing-back. The winger became an instant hero amongst the Belgian fans when he helped his nation win the Round of 16 game against Japan, by scoring the winning goal with the last kick of the game.
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The 29-year-old’s stock has definitely risen after a solid World Cup – and that was something he needed after an injury-struck season with West Brom. Due to the player’s experience, versatility and his recent displays in Russia, Moore must do everything in his powers to convince Chadli to stay put at The Hawthorns.
