It was being reported yesterday that West Bromwich Albion head coach Darren Moore was confident that the club were ‘one step closer’ to tying down highly rated Academy graduate Rekeem Harper to a new long term contract at The Hawthorns.
The 18-year-old midfielder has long been rated at the club and his stock is certainly on the rise as he’s started eight of our last nine games for the gaffer, but he is a free agent come the summer and we clearly don’t want to lose him.
We are entitled to training compensation given his age and the fact we’ve offered a deal, and should he move on at the end of the year that would at least be something.
Speaking to the E&S this week, Moore was however confident that a deal would now quickly be tied up so he can focus on his development.
“The update I believe is his advisers and our advisers at the club have proposed a deal. We’re one step again closer. We have moved on. Obviously it’s about Rekeem’s advisers and us coming to an agreement. We’re getting there. We want to see him stay here, we’ve agreed that we want him to stay, his advisers agree that he should stay, it’s just a matter of getting it sorted now.”
Having lost out on the likes of Tyler Roberts and Izzy Brown in recent years as they were tempted away, hopefully this one is tied up soon and it’s not another off the production line that we can’t get the best from, whether that be on the pitch or simply a better fee that can then be reinvested.
Given the maturity of his performance against Aston Villa in the last one, fans want this deal knuckled down quickly.
any latest on his contract situation? Becoming a pretty big concern now. Can't lose another one.
— Ant Swailes (@AntSwailes) February 17, 2019
The guys immense sign him up to a 5 year contract
— Daniel Hill (@Wbadanny123) February 17, 2019
Hopefully we can tie him up to a long-term deal.
— Dominic Cox (@Dominic_s_Cox) February 17, 2019
He absolutely deserves his chance! Quality future ahead of him. Glad to see a young player have such a professional attitude. Now give him a contract!
— John (@SirRekeemHxrper) February 17, 2019
After the euphoria of yesterday and the ever improving performances of Rekeem Harper, I think an awful lot of Baggies are concerned at the non announcement of a new long term contract, I’m sure those responsible on the club side now recognise that we have a special talent.
— John Lucas (@johnlucas54) February 17, 2019