WBA will reportedly entertain interest in Burnley target Jay Rodriguez as they still owe Southampton part of the £12m transfer fee. The 29-year-old has long been linked with a return to Turf Moor – where he scored 31 league goals in 105 appearances and remains ever popular with Clarets fans.
Reports Rodriguez has a £10million release clause in his contract have come out of the Hawthorns, although some believe the fee to trigger his exit has been halved because of Albion’s relegation 12 months ago. West Brom sporting director Luke Dowling is aware a top-tier offer will be difficult for Rodriguez to turn down.
Related: Gunners Set To Offer Aubameyang Improved Terms
But he’s been impressed with the striker’s attitude since the players returned for pre-season training earlier this week. Reports in the Midlands have claimed West Brom will entertain interest in the likes of Rodriguez, Ahmed Hegazi and Jake Livermore as they look to refresh their squad.
Chief executive Mark Jenkins has also admitted Albion owe and are owed monies from deals struck in transfer windows over the last couple of years. “We’re one year on and still in the Championship,” Jenkins said. “The parachute is slightly smaller but I would say that the finances have improved [since Jenkins’ return].
“They’re still challenging, though, because of the parachute dropping. The outgoings this year compared to the incomings are still greater because we still have final instalments on Rodriguez, [Kieran] Gibbs, players from that window.
“While people will say ‘you’ve got the [Nacer] Chadli money coming in’ – we have, but the difference still needs to be addressed. “From last summer, not only do we have the outstanding instalments on Gibbs and Rodriguez, but we’ve also still got instalments for Sam Johnstone and Kyle Bartley. We still have outstanding sums on those that need to be met this summer.”
