Jordan Hugill could be permitted a clean break from his time at West Bromwich Albion before the January transfer window ends.
Striker Hugill, who is on loan from Norwich City, has scored just a single goal in his 20 appearances for Albion since arriving in the summer and that’s form - as well as the scoring records of his front three colleagues - which has prompted the club and Valerien Ismael to make moves in the transfer market, in the shape of Daryl Dike.
Hugill, as a result, was an unused substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion a fortnight ago, and then he was omitted from the match-day squad entirely for the trip to his former club Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
“Yes it was my decision,” Ismael confirmed, when asked post match about Hugill’s absence. “I spoke to him about the situation, he came to me. I think now for him it’s a new situation. We spoken openly about the situation.
“With Covid you, never know. We could have another five players out so you never know, but today it was my decision for this game.”
With Ismael also able to call upon Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson, Hugill’s game-time is set to be heavily restricted in the second half of this season if he were to remain at The Hawthorns for the duration of the agreed loan.
Norwich and Albion, though, could yet come to an arrangement which involves severing ties with Hugill, formerly of Preston and West Ham, and there are a couple of clubs who are reportedly keen on offering him a way out - and the prospect of regular minutes.
The Press Association reports that both Millwall and Hull City are open to taking Hugill for the second half of the campaign; the Lions welcome the Baggies to the New Den next weekend, and Albion also have a trip to East Yorkshire on the horizon at the beginning of March.
Dean Smith, the Canaries boss, meanwhile, has confirmed that Hugill’s parent club are looking at their options in order to reach a solution for the forward before the month is out.
“Potentially changing for Jordan,” said Smith. “I had a chat with him and just got his feelings on how he was at the time. He’s a little bit frustrated, obviously because he has not been playing at West Brom.
“He’s been in and out of the team. When players go out on loan they go out to play football games and get the minutes required and obviously at the moment he is not so I said it is something we will look at.”
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