West Brom have been credited with an interest in New York Red Bulls left-back John Tolkin.
Reports have emerged on social media that West Brom and Premier League outfit Sheffield United are both interested in Tolkin, 21, who currently plays for New York Red Bulls and the USA national team.
MLS Transfers posted the story on X, saying:
“Sheffield United & West Brom are reaching out to #RBNY to discuss a deal for John Tolkin for January. NY Red Bulls rejected a bid from Mainz for the defender this summer. Salzburg still seems to be the top option for 2024 with Leipzig the final destination in the future.”
Tolkin is a product of NYRB’s academy and has since made more than 100 total appearances for the club despite being only 21 years old.
He also has three caps for the USMNT to his name.
Would Tolkin be a good signing?
West Brom’s full-back department seem to have been thin on the ground for a long time now.
The summer arrival of Pipa finally gave some competition to Darnell Furlong, whilst Matty Phillips’ emergence as a left wing-back has given Carlos Corberan a good option in that area.
Conor Townsend is another solid option in that position, but he perhaps doesn’t provide the same attacking outlet as Phillips, whereas Tolkin might.
He’s an energetic full-back who loves to get up and down the pitch and so he could be perfect for this Corberan system.
Will West Brom spend in January?
Like in summer, it looks like January could be more about offloading players.
West Brom are still trying to balance the books and they have a number of players who they could sell for decent fees.
And with so many teams interested in Tolkin, and top flight teams too, it doesn’t look like a move for the USA man will come cheap, so it seems like West Brom may already be trailing in this particular transfer chase.
But this interest seems genuine and West Brom often do their due diligence on players, so we can probably assume that the Baggies have a strong interest in Tolkin.