West Brom miss out on Antonee Robinson signing - reports

Back in June, the Express & Star revealed that the USA international was one of the Baggies’ primary transfer targets this summer.

Following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Albion are determined to box clever in the transfer market this window.

And Robinson looked an ideal addition with the 23-year-old available for just £2million following Wigan’s relegation to League One.

Now, though, it seems Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United have won the race for his signature.

It is understood the Baggies were willing to pay the money needed to trigger Robinson’s relegation release clause.

But the defender has opted to join Wilder’s men having been impressed with their displays after they went on to secure a ninth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Robinson came close to joining Italian giants AC Milan in a £10million deal back in January, only for the move to collapse at the last minute when a medical picked up an issue with his heart. But the former Everton man underwent treatment for the issue and again impressed for Wigan when football resumed post lockdown. With Robinson seemingly destined for Yorkshire, Albion are going to have to turn their attentions elsewhere to land a left-back.

It is believed the club are willing to listen to offers for Kieran Gibbs with injury issues having prevented him from being able to have an extended run in the team last season.

The former England international is also understood to have received a significant pay increase following Albion’s promotion to the Premier League.

Conor Townsend is the Baggies’ other option at left-back.

But the 27-year-old – who was signed from Scunthorpe in 2018 – is seen more as a squad player rather than someone who is ready to start in the Premier League each week.