This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Brom will be starting to get together with Valerien Ismael and identifying key transfer targets that he wants to add to the squad to stamp his authority on the club.

It has been reported now by The Express that Ismael is keen for West Brom to make a move for former Brentford attacking midfielder Emiliano Marcondes.

The 26-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer and it has already been reported that both Nottingham Forest and Barnsley are interested in signing Marcondes.

The Express’ report reveals that Ismael was a key driver behind the Tykes’ interest in Marcondes this summer prior to his departure. It is therefore believed that he is an admirer of the attacking midfielder and West Brom are wanting to bring him into the Hawthorns.

With West Brom interested in Marcondes now, we asked our FLW writers whether they feel it would be the right signing for them to make…

George Harbey

This would be a really shrewd signing.

West Brom already have a number of talented attacking options in the likes of Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson going forward, but they need someone who can come in and glue it all together.

Perhaps the stats tell a different story for Marcondes - he didn’t really get the amount of goals and assists he wanted at Brentford, but his performances were often impressive.

He showed what he’s all about in the play-off final, and is a player who can spot a killer pass and create something from nothing.

It obviously remains to be seen what system Valerien Ismael goes with, but if he played Marcondes behind the striker, it would be a really positive addition and an exciting one.

Phil Spencer

I think that this would be a great move for West Brom.

Marcondes has been brilliant for Brentford since moving to the club, but particularly last term.

The 26-year-old played a big role in helping the club to secure promotion and even got himself on the scoresheet in the play-off final.

Frankly, I'm surprised that the Bees let him go, but that just means that West Brom could secure a massive coup.

Marcondes is a technically-gifted and versatile player who knows what it takes to win promotion and given that he's available on a free transfer I think that he would be a really smooth addition.

Adam Jones

Valerien Ismael has already seen Marcondes live in action, when the midfielder's former side Brentford travelled to Oakwell in November - and after also seeing the 26-year-old score in the play-off final - the Frenchman obviously thinks he has a lot to bring to the West Midlands.

There was quite a bit of surprise when it was announced the midfielder would leave the newly-promoted Premier League club this summer, perhaps a good sign for West Brom fans who aren't familiar with the Dane.

On a free, this would be a solid signing for the Baggies - and a signing that has promotion-winning experience as late as last month on his CV.

In terms of West Brom, Matheus Pereira, his quality and his rumoured departure is exactly why they need someone like Marcondes to come in.

Even if the Brazilian stays at the Hawthorns, there's always a chance he could pick up a severe injury and events like this can often ruin a season.

But the quality of Marcondes could really mitigate the effects of an injury to Pereira - and they need a signing in this position even with the 25-year-old at the club to provide strength in depth.

This depth can often be the difference between going up to the top tier and staying down and if they can beat other sides to his signature, it could be the start of something special at the Hawthorns.

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