Itay Shechter set to snub Albion
Friday 27th May 2011, 12:30PM BST.
Albion target Itay Shechter today looked set to snub the Baggies – as they were linked with a move for Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng.
Israel international striker Shechter held talks with Albion over a £2.5million switch from Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel Aviv, but now appears to have settled on a move to Germany.
Reports there claim the 24-year-old’s advisors have told Hannover and Kaiserslautern that they are locked in a two-way battle for his signature.
The Baggies are also reported to have made enquiries about 28-year-old midfielder Boateng, who was part of Ghana’s squad for last summer’s World Cup finals.
The defensive midfielder has been with Spanish side Getafe for two years after a much-travelled career that has included spells in Greece, Israel and Germany.
Boateng is also a target for Valencia, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Midfield strengthening is not believed to be a top priority for Albion this summer but they are short of specialist cover for the defensive midfield berths filled effectively by Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner at the end of the season.
Adding to his striking options and recruiting a new goalkeeper are thought to be boss Roy Hodgson’s top priorities, with the club still in the hunt for veteran Villa No 1 Brad Friedel.
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