West Bromwich Albion Lose Attacker as Aston Villa Star's Loan is Cancelled
In a dramatic twist on transfer deadline day, West Bromwich Albion have seen winger Samuel Iling-Junior's loan from Aston Villa cancelled prematurely. The development leaves the Baggies scrambling for a replacement while freeing up unexpected funds for last-minute deals.
Iling-Junior's Hawthorns Stint Cut Short for Italian Adventure
Samuel Iling-Junior, who was originally scheduled to spend the entire 2025/26 Championship season with West Brom, will now depart The Hawthorns just over halfway through his loan term. The versatile former England Under-21 international is poised to join Serie A outfit Pisa on a straight loan deal until the campaign concludes, marking his third spell in Italian football following previous stints at Juventus and Bologna.
The 24-year-old's time in Albion colours never truly ignited as anticipated. Iling-Junior managed 24 Championship appearances for West Brom, with only 14 of those coming as starts, and he struggled to consistently secure a place in the starting lineup. His final outing for the club proved to be a 45-minute appearance during the away fixture at Portsmouth.
Supporters frequently expressed frustration with Iling-Junior's performances, which failed to match the promising displays he delivered during his successful loan spell at Middlesbrough in the 2024/25 season. The winger's inability to build a positive rapport with the fanbase ultimately contributed to the premature conclusion of his West Brom tenure.
Jimoh-Aloba Deal Remains Unaffected Despite Same-Club Dynamics
Despite involving the same two clubs, the cancellation of Iling-Junior's loan arrangement has no impact on Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's imminent transfer from Aston Villa to West Bromwich Albion. Birmingham World understands that Jimoh-Aloba is still expected to be confirmed as an Albion player before the transfer window closes.
The teenager, who originally developed within West Brom's youth setup, returns to The Hawthorns on a six-month deal after completing medical examinations over the weekend. Final contractual details have been successfully negotiated, paving the way for his official announcement.
West Brom's decision to pursue Jimoh-Aloba emerged following Karlan Grant's serious hamstring injury, which is likely to sideline the forward for several months. Although naturally a midfielder, Jimoh-Aloba impressed as a left winger during Aston Villa's recent 3-2 UEFA Europa League victory over RB Salzburg, where he scored the decisive winning goal. The young talent also operated in that position during Villa's FA Youth Cup Final triumph against Manchester City last May.
Deadline Day Opportunities Emerge for West Brom Recruitment
Iling-Junior's unexpected departure creates an immediate vacancy in West Brom's squad while simultaneously liberating wage resources that can now be redirected toward alternative loan acquisitions. With approximately seven hours remaining until the transfer deadline at the time of reporting, the Baggies' recruitment team face a race against time to identify suitable replacements.
Head coach Eric Ramsay and his staff are expected to scrutinise the available market options in the coming hours, with potential developments likely before the window officially closes. While securing a new winger represents the most obvious priority given Iling-Junior's position, there is also growing recognition within the club that additional midfield reinforcements would strengthen their Championship campaign.
West Bromwich Albion's management will undoubtedly explore every possible avenue to maximise their remaining budget, turning an unexpected setback into a potential opportunity for squad enhancement during the final stages of the January transfer window.
