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da fazobetai： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Per Express & Star, West Brom are planning an approach for Benfica midfielder Filip Krovinovic.
What’s the word?
Slaven Bilic seems eager to crack on with adding to his squad since being appointed manager of the Baggies. A move for Charlie Austin has been touted whilst Carl Jenkinson could also join.
However, now being linked with a switch is Croatian Krovinovic who Express & Star suggest Albion are planning an approach for.
The report suggests that Norwich are also chasing the player but West Brom are the side who are in pole position to acquire him.
Rated at £4.5m according to Transfermarkt, Benfica could be willing to let him leave on loan as he has three years left on his current contract.
However, it doesn’t appear to be confirmed whether Albion want him permanently or temporarily.
Big improvement
An attacking midfielder by nature, the Benfica man would improve West Brom in one significant area; their ability to keep possession.
Krovinovic is particularly good when it comes to retaining the ball, something that’s evident in the number of successful passes he makes.
Throughout 2018/19, he completed 94.7% of his passes in four substitute appearances. However, when starting more regularly, he also has an impressive percentage.
In 2017/18, his success stood at 88.5%, making nine starts, whilst when he was at Rio Ave the season before, he completed 87.5%.
If you compare this to the current crop at Albion, he is streets ahead of their current midfield options.
Rekeem Harper completed 85.4% of his passes throughout the last term but he is as close as West Brom’s midfielders come.
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Jake Livermore finished the campaign with 84.1% but he is a far safer player than the more attacking Krovinovic.
Sam Field and Gareth Barry completed just over 80% of their passes whilst Chris Brunt was only successful with 77.2%.
As a result, the Benfica man could help them significantly in their ability to keep the play flowing.