West Brom ‘transfer target’ gets warning from club boss

We are one step closer to confirming the line up for next season’s EFL Championship as Sheffield Wednesday booked their spot in the League One play-off final in incredible circumstances last night.

Southampton will be dropping down from the Premier League while Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town are on the way up to join West Brom and Birmingham City in the second tier. Meanwhile, the summer transfer window is fast approaching and clubs already seem to be working towards some major deals.

A player who is thought to be a transfer target for the Baggies has been given a warning by his current club boss that could have a major impact on his future. Elsewhere, the big news at St Andrew’s is the future of Jobe Bellingham and there has now been a fresh update on Sunderland’s pursuit of the teenage star. Here are the latest West Brom and Sunderland transfer news stories on Friday, May 19:

West Brom have been linked with a move for Portsmouth midfielder Jay Mingi who is out of contact at Fratton Park this summer. The 22-year old has an offer on the table from the League One club but has been told it will not be there much longer if he doesn’t make a decision soon.

Speaking to The News, Pompey boss John Mousinho said: “It won’t be indefinite by any means, we can’t keep a contract open forever because we need to know what our squad looks like for pre-season. One of the advantages of Pompey’s structure is that, in terms of contract negotiations, I will speak to the player and let him know there is a contract offer. But I won’t get involved in the specifics of what that looks like, that will be a conversation between his agent and the club.

“With the two players we’ve offered contracts to, there has to be a point where they accept or otherwise – and that’s part of football. If they don’t then we have to move on and look at filling those spots. We won’t be withdrawing Jay’s contract, it will be on the table until the deadline is set and, at that point, if we can’t agree on everything, we’ll shake on it. That’s absolutely fine, no problem. At the moment, those contract offers are on the table – and if they want to sign them then great.”

Per a report from Sky Sports News, Sunderland are in advanced talks over the signing of Birmingham midfielder Jobe Bellingham. The Black Cats are said to be ‘confident’ of securing a deal for the younger brother of England star Jude.

It is said to be understood that Sunderland will pay a fee in the region of £3 million for the 17-year old who has one year left on his current contract with the Blues. It is also said the player himself is ‘open’ to moving to another Championship side despite reported interest from the Premier League and beyond.