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da betsul： According to the Daily Telegraph’s Midlands football reporter John Percy on Twitter, Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez is close to joining West Bromwich Albion in an initial £12m deal, which could rise to £15m with add-ons.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the 27-year-old is free to leave St Mary’s this summer according to the Daily Telegraph, and he will be looking to get more regular playing time following another frustrating campaign with the south coast outfit.
Despite Claude Puel being sacked and replaced by Mauricio Pellegrino, Rodriguez obviously feels that he will be behind the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin in the pecking order if he does stay, and is looking for a fresh start.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis is keen to bring him to the Hawthorns, and he will be hopeful that he can rediscover the form he showed before his serious injury in 2014.
How did Rodriguez do last season?
The attacker scored six goals and provided a further three assists in 34 appearances in all competitions for Saints last term, and he certainly showed glimpses of getting back to his former self – his half-volley against Bournemouth was a stand-out goal.
However, the 27-year-old grew frustrated with Puel’s rotation policy and despite scoring one and assisting the other in his team’s 2-1 win against Middlesbrough in May, Rodriguez was named on the substitutes’ bench for the following match against Manchester United.
Will Saints fans be sad to see him go?
They probably will be, yes.
Rodriguez’s form – and link up play with the likes of Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert – in the 2013/14 season was outstanding and as well as picking up his first England cap, he was well in contention to be named in the Three Lions squad for the 2014 World Cup.
The forward netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances during that campaign but after missing the entire 2014/15 season, the 27-year-old has scored just nine goals in 50 appearances in all competitions since.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, it is hard to argue that the move isn’t the right deal for all of the parties involved, and while Southampton will know that they are getting a good deal for a player that doesn’t look like getting back to his best, they will be praying that it doesn’t happen at West Brom.