West Brom close in on Kieran Gibbs as fee agreed with Arsenal
Albion are closing in on Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs after agreeing a deal for the left-back believed to be worth an initial £5million but rising to a potential £7m with add-ons.
The 27-year-old is expected to have a medical later on today before discussing terms of his contract in order to finalise his switch to The Hawthorns.
The Baggies have swooped in on Gibbs after his £7m move to Watford fell through because the Hornets couldn’t agree personal terms with him.
Albion were interested in the left-back earlier this summer but walked away from talks because the Gunners wanted £12m.
"There was a price and after that price there was no deal to be done," said Pulis at the time. "That's the bottom line. He was just too expensive."
But Arsenal have lowered their asking price since then, allowing Pulis to plug the gap in his defence that has needed filling ever since he arrived and froze out Sebastien Pocognoli.
Last season, he played midfielder Chris Brunt and right-back Allan Nyom after failing to be convinced by Everton loanee Brendan Galloway.
This summer, Pulis was initially interested in Charlie Taylor but pulled out of that deal to focus on the spine, which needed reinforcements at the time.
But the Baggies have since signed centre-back Ahmed Hegazi and central midfielder Gareth Barry.
They are also closing in on a £10.6m deal for Josef de Souza after agreeing a fee with Fenerbahce, although the Brazilian midfielder still needs a work permit to play in England.
The Baggies boss was then interested in Kevin Wimmer, but the versatile Tottenham defender wanted assurances he’d be used at centre-back and so a deal fell through.
Although the Baggies have been in talks with Arsenal over Gibbs, the Gunners have not entered the race for Jonny Evans, as reported elsewhere.
The Baggies have not received a bid from Leicester for Nacer Chadli either, as has been reported.
