Kevin Campbell: Other clubs will still want to buy West Brom's players

The Baggies are destined for the drop after eight straight defeats in the Premier League, but despite their disastrous season, Campbell believes plenty of other clubs will attempt to hoover up their best players.

He believes it will require strong leadership to negotiate such a tricky summer, and has thrown his weight behind Nigel Pearson for the vacant job.

“There’s a lot of good players there who a lot of teams in the Premier League would covet,” Campbell told Sky Sports. “They’ve got some really good players and it just hasn’t worked out for them this season.

“I don’t think anybody can put their finger on why, apart from maybe that the players haven’t bought into what Alan Pardew wanted them to do.

“It’s going to be a difficult time for West Bromwich Albion, that’s for sure. It’s going to be very tough for them going down to the Championship.

“In years past, they’ve always bounced back, but now you’ve got the type of players other teams covet so you’re going to lose the heartbeat of your club to be honest.

“How you replace them and who takes the helm is going to be key.”

Current skipper Jonny Evans is expected to leave for just £3million this summer due to a clause in his contract.

It's believed three more unnamed players have relegation clauses in their contracts, making them vulnerable to offers.

There is likely to be interest in Jay Rodriguez, Craig Dawson, Kieran Gibbs, Jake Livermore, Nacer Chadli, James McClean and Salomon Rondon.

Albion’s managerial search has begun after Pardew left by mutual consent on Easter Monday, and Campbell would like to see Pearson installed as his successor.

“If the management isn’t strong, and the management isn’t right, then you’re going to get more of a drop,” he said. “That’s what they can’t afford, the manager and his staff have to be good.

“Nigel Pearson was there when I was there under Bryan Robson. He’s done fantastically well at Leicester, he could do well.

“Craig Shakespeare and Michael Appleton were there at the same time, all these guys have got good knowledge of the Premier League and are good managers.

“That kind of person who knows the club could be very good for them. I’d like to see Nigel Pearson, I really would, he’s a strong manager.”