West Brom transfer news: Tony Pulis keen to offload Callum McManaman
Tony Pulis is still keen to offload unwanted man Callum McManaman despite Albion’s small squad – and has handed Jonny Evans the captaincy in an effort to keep him at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies boss only has 15 senior outfield players currently at his disposal, and there is uncertainty clouding Nacer Chadli’s future after the Belgian rowed with Pulis before sitting out the club’s tour to Austria.
McManaman did join the squad on the gruelling pre-season tour and even got a rare half in a Baggies shirt during the game against Slavia Prague.
But he has not been named in the 21-man squad flying out to Hong Kong tonight for the Premier League Asia Trophy.
Pulis barely talked to the former Wigan winger during the week in Austria and is still hoping to move him on after leaving him in exile for nearly two years.
The Albion head coach had no qualms taking the No.19 shirt off McManaman to give it to summer signing Jay Rodriguez, leaving the winger with a new No.29 jersey.
And even though the Baggies are struggling to make headway in the transfer market, Pulis is still eager to let McManaman leave.
Evans has been given the captain’s armband for the Premier League Asia Trophy, and he’s expected to be skipper for the upcoming season. Leicester have already bid £10m for the star defender, and are contemplating returning with a better offer later in the summer.
Pulis is looking at central defenders this summer, and is reportedly eyeing up a permanent deal for Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia and a loan move for Egyptian centre-back Ahmed Hegazy.
Middlesbrough's former Egyptian striker Mido, hinted he was contacted by Baggies boss Tony Pulis this week.
“One of the most experienced coaches in the Premier League spoke to me last week and inquired about Hegazy," said Mido. "I predict that we will see him in the Premier League very soon."
Despite chasing defenders, the Baggies do not wish to lose Evans, who takes over from departed Darren Fletcher as captain.
Gareth McAuley is not travelling to Hong Kong because of his thigh injury and neither is James Morrison following the bereavement of a close friend.
Albion director of performance Mark Gillett said: “It’s much better for Gareth to stay here and continue his recovery programme. He’s still on course to be ready for the start of the season.”
Chadli is flying out to Hong Kong after refusing to go to the pre-season camp in Austria.
Trialist Jason Lowe, who played the second half against Slavia Prague on Wednesday, is not travelling.
