West Brom linked with interest to highly-regarded young Liverpool midfielder
Albion are among the Championship clubs tipped with loan interest in highly-regarded Liverpool youngster James McConnell.
Ball-playing central midfielder McConnell is well thought of by boss Arne Slot and the decision-makers at Anfield and is reportedly poised to sign a new long-term contract.
Ryan Mason's Baggies, as well as league rivals Ipswich Town and Derby County, have been credited with interest in the England under-20 man.
North-east born McConnell, who moved from the Sunderland academy in 2019, made his Reds senior debut in October 2023 and has made 14 first-team appearances in all competitions, including from the bench in the 2024 EFL Cup final victory.
McConnell has not been included in Liverpool's travelling squad for a pre-season tour of Hong Kong and January due to a minor injury, which the club felt was best not to exacerbate via air miles and jetlag.
Albion have so far recruited three new faces this summer with the arrival of defensive duo Nat Phillips, also from Liverpool, and United States international George Campbell. Striker Aune Heggebo has also checked in with a total outlay of £7million to £7.5million.
It is thought midfield competition is on Mason's radar - and more prominently that of sporting director Andrew Nestor and director of football operations Ian Pearce. Though it is also believed the club will look to offload this summer as they address their profit and sustainability balance to remain the right side of regulations.
Mason's senior midfield options at The Hawthorns are Alex Mowatt, Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakite.
Isaac Price has so far been used in a more advanced role during pre-season, though he is capable of a deeper central midfield berth.
Of the Baggies' midfield types Mowatt is most comfortable at receiving the ball and dictating play and starting attacks. He was seeing attempting to do so in Saturday's friendly defeat at Blackpool.
Molumby's game is different and more modelled on his athletic qualities and notable physical levels. Diakite is another more combative-type player than a ball-player.
As well as Albion, Ipswich and Derby it has also been claimed clubs in Germany are keen on a loan for McConnell.
Albion have yet to recruit any loans this summer. The loan market is one that typically tends to open up later in the transfer window, as clubs higher up the pecking order decide on player movements for pre-season tours and the campaign ahead.
