Benfica have turned down a request from West Brom to loan midfielder Filip Krovinovic for a second consecutive season, a report from Portuguese outlet Record has claimed.
Krovinovic joined West Brom on loan from the Portuguese giants back in the summer transfer window, and went on to score three goals and provide two assists in 43 appearances in all competitions to help the Baggies win automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
It was recently reported by The Telegraph that West Brom were in talks with Benfica about another temporary move for Krovinovic, although it seems as though that will not be happening.
According to the latest reports, the Portuguese giants have already dismissed the prospect of Krovinovic joining West Brom on another loan move for next season, but that does not mean that a return to The Hawthorns is out of the question completely for the Croatian.
The Baggies are also said to be in talks about a permanent move for Krovinovic, with the newly-promoted Premier League side reportedly willing to offer up to £9million for the 24-year-old.
As things stand, there are two years remaining on Krovinovic’s contract at Benfica, with the Portuguese side’s new manager, Jorge Jesus, apparently yet to decide if he will involve the midfielder in his plans for next season.
It looks as though this is a transfer story that could run for a significant part of the summer yet.
There still appears to be plenty to decide with regards to Krovinovic’s future, so it would be something of a surprise if there was to be a decision either way announced imminently with regards to the Croatian.
Having impressed at The Hawthorns this season, it does seem as though the Baggies want Krovinovic back for next season, and with Benfica already ruling out a loan move, it could be worth making a permanent move for the midfielder before they lose out to someone else.
