MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 18:54:20| >> :120:73487:73487:

Sam Allardyce to prioritise Okay Yokuslu deal if West Brom stay up

Sam Allardyce to prioritise Okay Yokuslu deal if West Brom stay up
© Reuters
Okay Yokuslu has made a big impact since joining on loan from Celta Vigo in January.

Sam Allardyce says pursuing the permanent signing of Okay Yokuslu would be his first priority if West Brom stay in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old midfielder has been an instant hit at the Hawthorns since joining on loan from Celta Vigo in January.

Yokuslu continued his impressive form over the international break, playing every minute of Turkey's victories over Holland and Norway and their draw with Latvia.

Asked if he would try to bring Yokuslu to England permanently in the summer, West Brom boss Allardyce said: "That would be the first thing we try to do if we stay up."

That remains a hugely unlikely if, with the Baggies 10 points adrift of safety with only nine games remaining, starting with a trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Allardyce was busy in the January window, also bringing in Mbaye Diagne on loan from Galatasaray and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan from Arsenal.

"I've done many of these type of signings," said the 66-year-old. "I'm either a genius or I'm very, very lucky, or both.

"You listen to how many managers say it's no good bringing players in January from abroad, it takes them far too long to adjust, it's next season they'll be any good.

"We've got Mbaye and particularly Okay. Okay, it's like he's been here for five or six seasons the way he's playing, and this is in a struggling team. I have to give those two lads great credit for taking on the challenge, as well as Ainsley coming from Arsenal.

"The experience that they've gained from us hopefully will stand them in good stead. But hopefully they could possibly be here next year if we stay in the Premier League."

ID:441655: cacheID:441655:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2634:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Timo Werner looks dejected after missing a penalty on January 24, 2021
Read Next:
Thomas Tuchel compares Werner's goal drought to dinner date rejection
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Watford26115103637-138
9Bristol City2691073330337
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2678112941-1229
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Cardiff CityCardiff2659122641-1524
22Portsmouth2458113041-1123
23Hull City2658132536-1123
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2649132554-2921


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!