West Brom transfer debate: Impressive 48 hours, one step ahead and the tough Tom Fellows £10m decision
A 48 hour period last week was arguably the busiest and frantic it has been for West Brom during the transfer window.
It began with the departure of Darnell Furlong to Ipswich Town for £4m - before Chris Mepham's arrival from Bournemouth was confirmed.
Then Friday saw business ramp up as Alfie Gilchrist joined from Chelsea before Caleb Taylor and Tom Fellows left the club.
It has been a busy summer in general - with seven incomings and a number of exits. Jonny Drury looks back on the big issues to come out of Albion's busy two days in the transfer window.
We knew it was coming at some stage - but when the time did finally it was no less disappointing to see one of the club's best young stars in recent years depart.
It emerged on Thursday that Albion had accepted a £10m bid from Southampton - and once that news was announced the debate started to rage.
Is that enough? Should Albion be selling? Could that have got more? The bottom line of the debate is that selling Fellows was always going to be a tough decision. One for the player and two for the owners.
If they could have avoided selling Fellows they would have - but the departure, along with the other business, significantly strengthens Albion's PSR position. It has been something Albion have had to navigate, as have other clubs.
It is the reality of it at the moment.
The other issue is around the fee. Many, including myself thought Albion may get themselves closer to £15m for Fellows. Given his season, and the fact he is English which always seems to add more to the price tag.
However, £10m is still good business on an academy graduate who has only been a regular for a year.
Collectively it is a situation no one, including the owners, will have wanted. However, a decision, a tough one, had to be made.
Impressive incomings
Chris Mepham's arrival is one that has caught the eye - with Albion adding a central defender with Premier League experience and 48 international caps for £1m.
It has a coup, no doubt about it. And then they have replaced Furlong with the £1.2m signing of Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea. A youngster, who has played in the Premier League and has Championship experience.
You cannot deny that it is yet more good business. They still have work to do with Fellows going, there is no doubt about that.
But one key thing is that Albion seem to have a number of options even before players were sold. Gilchrist would have been lined up before Furlong left the building.
And I imagine there will already have been targets eyed up before Fellows' departure was confirmed.
Other departures and the PSR issue
Incomings have been impressive - but it feels strange to say outgoings have been impressive too.
A deal of £4m for Furlong is unbelievable business. Say what you want about Furlong, he was a largely good servant for Albion. He had his faults, but £4m for him is brilliant from Albion.
Taylor's departure is in the same ball park as Fellows. It feels disappointing to lose an academy graduate with obvious potential.
However, £2.5m for a player who featured just 12 times for Albion's first team, is again good business.
Overall that is almost £25m in incomings. How different is that compared to the previous regime?
Some have opinions either way, but for for the way they have navigated through this transfer window, you have to commend Bilkul and Andrew Nestor.
Now another busy deadline day.
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