West Brom should offer Rekeem Harper a new deal at the earliest
According to the Daily Mail, West Brom are keen to offer Rekeem Harper a new deal, with the 18-year-old set to be out of contract in the summer.
The same report adds that the Baggies are holding further talks over a fresh deal for the highly-rated teenage prospect amid interest from several Premier League clubs.
West Brom manager Darren Moore wants to extend Harper’s stay at the Hawthorns as he believes the youngster has the potential to become a top player in the future. (h/t Daily Mail)
The Baggies have had to part ways with academy talents Izzy Brown and Tyler Roberts in recent times but they seem determined to hold on to Rekeem Harper. Harper, who has been at the academy of West Brom since he was 12, made his senior debut in the Premier League last term against Bournemouth.
Harper has made a total of 10 appearances for the Baggies in the Championship this season. With most of his first-team involvement in the league coming since the turn of the year, Moore’s side should fight tooth and nail to keep him at the club.
The 18-year-old has impressed for the Baggies in central midfield with his energetic and tough-tackling nature, whilst also showing good ball retention and passing ability. A top-quality combative midfielder in the making, Harper is yet to find the net in the Championship this season but he has already made a name for himself with his calmness and composure in possession. Still very much in the developmental phase of his career, Harper has shown the presence of mind to use the ball well and he is only going to get better with time.
The former English U17 and U19 international has a wonderful passing record in the Championship, boasting of a pass accuracy percentage of 87.1. Blessed with wonderful dribbling skills for a central midfielder, Harper has completed 14 of his attempted 19 dribbles so far.
To put things into perspective, West Brom would relish the presence of a young and energetic midfielder next season should they make it to the Premier League. The mere fact that he has broken into the first-team at the tender age of 18 speaks volumes of the talent that he possesses.
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Furthermore, the highly-rated academy graduate has the potential to establish himself as one of the pivots of West Brom’s midfield in the foreseeable future and the Baggies would net a much larger profit should they decide to cash in on him about five years from now.
It is important for the Baggies to build a strong foundation and extending Harper’s stay would definitely be a step in the right direction.
