West Brom must navigate the delicate balance between initiating new contract discussions with Cedric Kipre and the ongoing imperative to decrease their wage expenditure. This need for balance stems from the lingering uncertainty surrounding the takeover situation, as per the report by Express & Star.
The article, published on December 20th, highlighted that despite the imminent expiration of the defender’s current contract in the summer and Manager Carlos Corberan praising Kipre’s recent outstanding performances, West Brom still needs to consider potential cost-cutting measures.
At 27 years old, Kipre has become a crucial player for the Albion manager, particularly following his return from a loan spell at Cardiff City. Given significant injury problems in other areas of the squad, Kipre has been absent for just one Championship start this season when he was on the bench during the goalless draw with Millwall on September 23rd.
Corberan expressed his thoughts on Kipre, stating: “In my opinion, he is performing admirably. He’s demonstrating stability and consistency in his game, which is crucial. It’s not just about a player listening to instructions, as it seems we hold all the answers and not the player – good performances rely on the players themselves. Kipre has showcased an outstanding level of concentration, focus, and dedication in his displays. The task now is to maintain this level and strive for his personal best.”
“If he commits with this, learn from mistakes, then he is a more proactive player, he will reduce mistakes and compete well because he has very good skills.”
Clock ticking
Following Dara O’Shea’s departure to Burnley last summer, a move aimed at stabilizing the club’s precarious financial state, Cedric Kipre has taken on a more prominent role within the team.
Even though the takeover seems to be nearing its conclusion, the imperative to further reduce the wage bill remains until the deal is finalized. This situation places Carlos Corberan at risk of losing players in the upcoming January transfer window.
There are signs indicating an imminent deal to acquire the majority stake held by Guochuan Lai, which potentially grants West Brom the opportunity to postpone contract negotiations for key squad members until the ownership transition is completed.
If another club sees an opportunity to sign players like Kipre next month, it would prompt West Bromwich Albion to face a significant decision.
In the absence of progress in the ongoing takeover, the club would ordinarily need to seriously consider any chance to receive even a nominal fee for a player whose contract is nearing its end. Thus, until the much-anticipated change in ownership materializes, the Baggies find themselves theoretically in that position.
A resolution to the ownership issue seems imminent as Lai is expected to grant exclusivity to one of three potential buyers soon. However, with the January transfer window about to open, there remains a palpable element of risk.
The best-case scenario would involve Kipre staying beyond February, allowing the new ownership to initiate discussions regarding a contract extension. Corberan is undoubtedly hopeful for this outcome.
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