West Bromwich Albion are facing a fast-approaching deadline to confirm the futures of their out-of-contract players. Football League clubs have been announcing their retained and released lists since the season concluded two weekends ago, but the Baggies have yet to make any official statements regarding six senior squad members whose terms expire at the end of June.
Players Awaiting Decisions
The six players include four attackers—two strikers and two wide players—and two goalkeepers. Club captain Jed Wallace is at the end of the four-year deal he signed in 2022. Karlan Grant, who has been with the club for six years, also sees his contract expire. Strikers Daryl Dike and Josh Maja are both out of contract after injury-hit spells at The Hawthorns. Both featured for head coach James Morrison towards the end of the campaign.
In goal, Max O’Leary, who joined on a short-term deal in January, is out of contract. Joe Wildsmith, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Middlesbrough without playing a minute, also sees his deal end.
Deadline and Rules
League rules require clubs to confirm their contract status by the third Saturday of the month, which falls on March 16 this year. Only teams involved in play-off action are granted an extension. Albion must therefore announce their decisions by this Saturday.
Club Discussions Underway
Director of football operations Ian Pearce, technical director Dominic Price, and head coach James Morrison have held talks on the squad’s composition. Speaking after the final Championship match at Sheffield Wednesday, Morrison said: “Obviously negotiations can take time. I'm sure the conversations have started already. It's just to see how up to the players and the club, if they can match deals. Sometimes these deals take long but I hope the players can feel what we've started here and the principles of what we've built, and that will be going forward.”
