New West Brom takeover update should be music to Baggies supporters’ ears: View

•  West Brom’s financial difficulties have hindered their ability to compete with promotion rivals and prompted the sale of key players.
•  There has been progress in owner Guochuan Lai’s attempts to sell the club, with three parties interested in purchasing it.
•  If a takeover is not agreed by the end of the year, West Brom may be forced to sell key players, risking their Premier League aspirations and top six hopes. Under new ownership, the squad has the potential to achieve success this season.

Supporters of West Brom will be looking for a quick resolution to the serious issue that has become the takeover situation.

The Baggies’ financial struggles have been managed by current owner Guochuan Lai, who has made it challenging for the team to compete with competitors for promotion.

Last summer, Carlos Corberan tried to bolster his first team roster, but he was not able to spend as much as the teams surrounding them.

Dara O’Shea, the club captain, was transferred for £7 million even though he had an £8 million release clause. This shows how desperate West Brom was to raise money in the summer window.

Supporters, who want to see the club play to the best of their abilities without being constrained by the owners, have been greatly irritated by this.

What is the latest West Brom takeover news?

It was revealed earlier this week that Lai’s efforts to sell the team have made considerable headway.

Fans will be happy to hear this since they believe it will usher in a new phase for Albion, one marked by considerably more stability and financial power.

It is believed that there are three parties interested in purchasing the club, which has been valued at £60 million (including paying off a loan from MSD Holdings).

It is understood that all three potential bidders have strong links to the United States, which would further increase the number of English clubs owned by American businessmen.

Recent Championship clubs to be taken over by US-based funding include Huddersfield Town, Coventry City and Birmingham City.

While some may argue that the grass isn’t always greener, in this scenario there is a pretty high chance that the new owners will arrive and give the club a boost.

Birmingham saw the difference a more financially stable owner can bring.

Of course, their decision to bring Wayne Rooney in as manager instead of the popular John Eustace may serve as a warning to Corberan, but otherwise they have invested in improving the first team squad at St. Andrew’s.

The Sky Blues have struggled to match the heights they hit last season, when they reached the play-off final, but that hasn’t been for a lack of trying, with big signings made last summer following the departures of Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres.

The deal to sign Ellis Simms for £8 million was a signal of their intent to compete in this division.

Can West Brom fight for promotion under new ownership?

Corberan has overseen a positive start to the new campaign, with the team sitting seventh in the Championship table, with only goal difference keeping them out of the play-off places.

But if a takeover is not agreed by the end of the new year, then the Baggies risk having to sell key players in order to balance the books.

This would be a disaster, and could derail their Premier League aspirations.

This highlights just how important a sale agreement being reached by January is to the club, as losing talents like John Swift, Jed Wallace or Brandon Thomas-Asante could be catastrophic, as teams will be circling if they see an opportunity.

If a deal can be agreed, then Corberan should be able to keep this squad together, at the very least, which would be a boost to their top six hopes.

If one or two more additions could even be made, then West Brom will be all the better for it.

There is stiff competition at the top of the table this year, but under the right owners then this Albion squad has the potential to go all the way this season.