Leeds United track West Brom youngster Roberts as Baggies fight to agree new deal with striker

Leeds United are monitoring talented West Bromwich Albion striker Tyler Roberts amid attempts by West Brom to tie the teenager to a new contract.
Elland RoadElland Road
Elland Road

United have been tracking Roberts and are among the clubs awaiting developments as West Brom try to prevent the 19-year-old’s deal expiring at the end of the season.

Roberts would be in a position to move elsewhere for a compensation fee this summer if his deal at The Hawthorns is allowed to run out, the same situation which saw Charlie Taylor leave Leeds for Burnley last July, and he has attracted interest from numerous sides after three lower-league loan spells and a run of appearances for Wales’ Under-21 side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His situation also gives him the right to negotiate a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs in this transfer window and Roberts is reported to have drawn attention from Scottish side Rangers and teams in France.

The forward is currently on loan at League One side Walsall, where he has scored five times in 16 appearances, but is due to return to West Brom after tomorrow’s game against Charlton Athletic.

New West Brom manager Alan Pardew is keen to keep the youngster at The Hawthorns and Albion are continuing with protracted talks in the hope of forcing an agreement over improved terms.

Leeds, who paid an initial fee of £3m to secure midfielder Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough this week, are increasingly open to the idea of recruiting a striker before the end of the January window having dropped out of the Championship’s top six in the past fortnight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Roberts, who United regard as strong and quick, has made only one appearance for West Brom’s senior side but spent time on loan at Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town before moving to Walsall in August.

He made his debut for Wales’ Under-21s last year and trained with their senior side while Chris Coleman was head coach.