Those connected with West Brom will no doubt be looking ahead to next season with some amount of optimism.
The Baggies claimed a place in the Championship play-offs during the 2023/24 campaign, only to be beaten in the semi-finals by Southampton, ending their hopes of promotion.
However, Shilen Patel’s takeover of the club back in February, means that there is a hope for greater investment into the squad at The Hawthorns in this summer’s transfer window.
In turn, that will give some rise to the belief that west Brom will have the resources required to go one better next season, and potentially seal a return to the top-flight of English football.
Yet even if their side is to be improved this summer, there is a chance that the Baggies will have to try and win promotion next season, without one of their key men from the most recent campaign.
Cedric Kipre could be set to for West Brom exit
Last season, Cedric Kipre proved to be a vital figure in the backline for the Baggies as they secured their place in the play-offs.
Although he had been signed all the way back in the summer of 2020, this was the first season in which the centre back was really given the chance to show what he could do for West Brom.
It was an opportunity he certainly took, producing a string of outstanding performances for Carlos Corberan’s side, that earned him plenty of praise in the process.
However, that has now presented the Baggies with a bit of a challenge. Kipre’s contract expires this summer, and elite teams throughout Europe are suddenly showing interest in signing him. It has been reported that teams like Ipswich Town, Strasbourg, and Trabzonspor are interested in the Ivorian. Kipre will certainly be drawn to the opportunity to play at that level, and as his contract allows him to join with any team this summer, it might be difficult for West Brom to hang onto him.
If that turns out to be the case, one could argue that the Baggies should be turning to Sheffield Wednesday for a situation that is somewhat comparable in order to address that issue.
Di’Shon Bernard could replace Cedric Kipre at The Hawthorns
Following their promotion back to the Championship from League One last summer, one of the players who Sheffield Wednesday signed in the transfer window, was Di’Shon Bernard.
The center defender, who had only made one first-team appearance for Manchester United, left on a free transfer after being released. Additionally, he had played on loan for Portsmouth, Hull City, and Salford City. After relocating to Hillsbrough in the summer of 2023, Bernard had a successful last season with the Owls. The 23-year-old made a big impression on the field despite Sheffield Wednesday spent the majority of the season in the Championship relegation zone before making a stunning comeback.
Bernard proved to be a more than dependable choice for the Yorkshire club in the second division, contributing significantly to the team’s continued survival. If West Brom finds themselves in need of a Kipre replacement this summer, they will now need to look to capitalize on that. The truth is that when Bernard relocated to Hillsborough last summer, he only agreed to a one-year contract with Sheffield Wednesday. He may now choose exactly where he wants to play football next season as a result.
Naturally, it should come as no surprise that Wednesday acknowledged in their end-of-season retained list that they had extended an offer to the center defender. Nevertheless, it is unclear if he would accept it. If that is the case, it seems like West Brom should now be challenging the Owls by making Bernard an offer to transfer to The Hawthorns. Similar to Kipre himself, the Jamaican international demonstrated his abilities in the Championship last season, often playing on the left side of the defense center.
As a result, Bernard would undoubtedly be a reliable substitute for the Ivorian in West Brom’s backline. At 23 years old, he might hold that position for a while before possibly being transferred elsewhere for a profit. Indeed, from a financial standpoint, the club would benefit from Kipre’s condition, which means that if he does go this summer, it will be on a free agent; replacing him with another player who is available for nothing would assist. In light of this, it seems like West Brom should be exerting pressure on Sheffield Wednesday regarding Bernard’s future in order to position themselves to rapidly recover from the disappointment of Kipre’s possible exit, even as the uncertainty around his future persists.
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