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Town Close in On West Brom Midfielder Harper
Wednesday, 9th Jun 2021 21:31

TWTD understands the Blues are closing in on the permanent signing of West Brom central midfielder Rekeem Harper.

The 21-year-old, who we understand will cost Town around £500,000, came through the ranks at the Hawthorns having joined the club as a 12-year-old.

He was handed his Premier League debut in August 2017 aged only 17 when he became only the second player born in the 2000s to play in the top flight.

The Birmingham-born schemer has gone on to make 17 senior starts - seven in the league - and 14 sub appearances for the Baggies, scoring twice.

Harper, who is 6ft 2in tall, spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers in 2017/18 and ended last season at Birmingham City.

The former England U17 and U19 international looks set to become the Blues’ third addition of the summer with the transfer window officially opening today.

Last week, forward or right-back Wes Burns joined from Fleetwood for an undisclosed fee and midfielder Lee Evans signed on a free from Wigan.

Town are also continuing their pursuit of another central midfielder, Rotherham United’s Matt Crooks.

Harper’s signing would add to the West Brom links at Town with chairman Mike O’Leary a former CEO with the Baggies and Blues CEO Mike Ashton having been a player, coach and director at the Hawthorns.


Photo: Action Images



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PortmanTerrorist added 23:55 - Jun 9
If unsure about the player, the recruitment approach is what we were hoping for, so let's trust the process.

And let's back off on our youth. So far they have been thrown into dysfunctional first team environments, surrounded by their peers, players past their best, and various crocked journeymen. How on earth do we know if they could play and compete in a functional team of proper players.....might just be what some of them need !
13

Town4me added 00:00 - Jun 10
Well, watching those highlights he can certainly get stuck in and ping a pass. What every team needs
4

parhamblue added 00:05 - Jun 10
Mark Ashton. Don't upset the CEO (or the Chairman) :) Happy days, absolutely, things are on the up. Would nevertheless be sorry to see more of our own not fitting in. Where does this leave the so-called consistency of style and type of player right the way through the club? Who was it vaunting that just a few weeks ago? And what effect is that going to have on the Academy?
1

wilnisfan added 03:19 - Jun 10
He looks to have great potential.

He doesn't have creativity or press resistant dribble. But he plays simple and looks like he could pass between the lines of the system is clear and direct.

If he added one of these things or became less dependent on his right foot, especially there time it takes to open up his body to make a pass to his right, then he could be worth a lot to a premier league team
1

jas0999 added 05:11 - Jun 10
Would be a very promising signing. Looks a decent player.
6

SpiritOfJohn added 06:45 - Jun 10
Never seen him play but he looks like he has the right attributes. Surprised that Birmingham aren't interested.
Not getting too carried away by the video footage. Imagine seeing the highlights reel for Downes, Dozzell or Bishop - they would all look more exciting.
1

hammo56 added 07:03 - Jun 10
Some West Brom fans say they will be glad to see him go as he is lazy and lacks stamina.
Sounds like when he first came into the side he was impressive but then went backwards quickly.
If he does end up here hopefully a change of club might kickstart his career again.
1

Bazza8564 added 07:27 - Jun 10
Glad to see the positivity guys, if PC rates him high enough to spend money on, then by definition hes rated better than what we have. Get him in, at his age, with the right progress, he could be with us for the ride back to where we belong
4

Nazemariner added 09:06 - Jun 10
Looks a big strong lad, and will undoubtedly bring a physicality to the midfield that we have been lacking. Let's not get too excited though, he ain't no Trevoh!
0

itfchorry added 09:28 - Jun 10
Likes a decent pass this boy-

More good news 💙🚜
1

hunty21 added 09:44 - Jun 10
The new liam trotter , tall strong and plays it simple hopefully ge has a good attitude as sounds like he is a bit lazy from what baggies say
2

shakytown added 10:18 - Jun 10
Looks like we are going to have a completely new midfield next season and not a minute too soon. We totally lacked goal scoring and competitiveness in this area previous seasons and is a major part of why we are in our current lowly position.
3

bucket99 added 10:38 - Jun 10
That video's great, I love how quickly he moves the ball on. Almost always forward, too. Get it, give it. Promising.
2

chepstowblue added 11:07 - Jun 10
For years we've had a lettuce leaf of a midfield that neither protected the back four, nor created for the front 1 or 2. Even for a glass half empty kind of guy this is looking promising. I can't claim to know a great deal about him and refuse to get excited about a 3min video as even I look gifted in those. Its good to see positive links tho.
4

dirtydingusmagee added 11:09 - Jun 10
looks good in vid, obviously those are selected clips so dont show the full story.But if he can do that for us [if signed] it will be great.
1

BartonBluee added 11:25 - Jun 10
How old do you feel when you see a 21 year old born in 2000! COYB
3

mkbobby added 11:49 - Jun 10
99.9 % of players would look good on a video reel i know this as my son went off to usa to play college football and he was picked up by video reel initially before a coach came over to watch a game , sadly he didnt like the living side of the us campus so came back so dont get carried away by 2-3 mins of the best parts you see
-1

BackInBlue86 added 12:07 - Jun 10
Loves a 1-2 doesnt he?! great to see that attacking mindset and zipping passes with urgency.

age, cost, potential - could be a great signing.
1

BurleysGloryDays added 12:35 - Jun 10
looks strong defensively, recycles possession well
2

Canopus added 12:48 - Jun 10
Any update? …Another great early statement of intent!
0

runningout added 12:50 - Jun 10
Crooks will be decent if he stays out of trouble
0

Baggied added 13:32 - Jun 10
Coming from an Albion fan , here's what you will be getting..
On his day he is a solid midfielder who get forward as well as defend, unfortunately those days are few and far between! He's generally quite lazy won't run up and down the pitch for you , can be quite temperamental as well, sulks if he's not getting picked , bit of a chip on his shoulder at times. However I do think with the right manager and guidance he's still young enough to iron out those issues and become a decent player.
Hope he does well for you
4

Oldboy added 14:19 - Jun 10
Been on the site's to see what I can find out. He seems to be highly thought of at WBA and England youth. Pretty solid in the air and can spray a pass 40 yards with little effort. They seem to think at WBA that he should be harder to knock off the ball than he is, but I am sure are new backroom staff will sort that out. If it comes off, then we will have a hell of a promising talent.
0

therein61 added 16:52 - Jun 10
I like the signing of some height and physical presence in midfield how many times were we outmuscled and bullied last season when we were lightweight also the power going forward will give the strikers excellent service now we need a 20 goal a season man(could be Nors with the service) and a dominant central defender, happy days.
0

mkbobby added 17:39 - Jun 10
Stats tell you everything 18 games for Birmingham no goals no assists not sure about this one it's a singing on potential that might come off and not on any thing else but I wait to be proved wrong
0


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