Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are set to miss out on defender Saul Shotton, who is set to join West Bromwich Albion on a two-year deal.

The 18-year-old is currently on the lookout for a new club after being released by Bury in the summer, following the club's expulsion from the EFL.

The defender failed to make an appearance for the Shakers as they won automatic promotion from League Two last season, but he made six appearances in all competitions the season before, as they were relegated from League One.

Sky Sports broke the news on Monday that despite being tracked by Watford and Leeds last term, West Bromwich Albion have agreed personal terms with Shotton over a proposed move to The Hawthorns on a two-year deal.

But now, the Daily Mail claim that Shotton has also had his admirers this time around, with Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End making offers to sign the defender on a free transfer.

Slaven Bilic has shown how eager he is to work with young players at West Brom this season, with young full-back Nathan Ferguson establishing himself as an important player for the Croatian in the early stages of the campaign.

It remains to be whether Shotton goes straight into Bilic's first-team plans, or whether he will have to prove himself in the under-23s upon his arrival in the West Midlands.

The Verdict

It's obviously a blow when a team misses out on a player, and this is the case for Derby and Sheffield Wednesday with Shotton.

Shotton is a very talented young player who has a lot of potential, and I was surprised to see him not play for Bury last season despite impressing in the final four games of the 2017/18 season.

He's only young and needs to keep his head down and work hard, but Bilic has shown this season that if you're good enough, then you're old enough.