West Brom set to win battle for Conor Townsend
Albion are set to sign Scunthorpe’s Conor Townsend after beating off competition from a host of Championship clubs to land the left-back, the Express & Star understands.
The 25-year-old has been at the centre of a transfer tussle all summer with Ipswich and Hull both known to be keen.
The Tractor boys saw a £250,000 offer rejected earlier this month – which Iron chairman Peter Swann labelled as “rubbish.”
Ipswich were believed to be readying an improved £400,000 bid.
But Albion have now jumped ahead of their rivals and are understood to have agreed terms with the League One side.
His arrival doesn’t mean fellow left-back Kieran Gibbs will be leaving The Hawthorns though, with boss Darren Moore determined to keep the former Arsenal man.
Townsend came through the youth ranks at Hull and had spells on loan at Chesterfield, Carlisle, and Dundee.
He also turned out for Grimsby on a temporary basis where he played under recently appointed Ipswich boss Paul Hurst.
Earlier this week, Scunthorpe boss Nick Daws admitted it was unlikely he would be able to hold on to his star man.
“If there is interest from above it becomes a challenge,” he said.
“Conor is contracted to us, is performing well, looks sharp and is enjoying his football. We hope he stays.”
It is understood Hull will receive 40 per cent of any transfer fee Albion pay Scunthorpe.
Meanwhile, new recruit Harvey Barnes says he is ready to embrace the pressure that comes with playing for Albion.
The 20-year-old was snapped up from Barnsley who battled to stay in the Championship last year.
But the winger acknowledges aspirations are higher at The Hawthorns.
Barnes said: “I think it is definitely a different pressure this time around.
“At Barnsley we did not have the same sort of targets as we have at Albion this year.
“There is the pressure of trying to win games to get promoted. It is going to be a different test.
“There are a lot of clubs who are going to be up there. You don’t know where certain clubs are going to finish.
“There are a lot of strong teams, some who have put a lot in to try and go up. It’s going to be a tough season.
“With the right mindset I am sure we can have a positive season.”
