Former West Bromwich Albion coach and caretaker manager James Shan has given his verdict on Brentford midfielder Romine Sawyers, as the Baggies remain in talks to sign him.

Sky Sports reported yesterday that West Brom are in talks with Brentford over the 27-year-old and have already seen a bid of £2.2million rejected by the Bees.

Sawyers came through the academy at West Brom and signed his first professional contract with the club, although he did not make a first-team appearance for the Baggies before being sold to Walsall in 2013.

The midfielder was an important player for Brentford last season and registered seven assists in 42 league appearances as Thomas Frank's side achieved a top-half finish in the Championship.

Shan worked with Sawyers during his time as an academy coach at West Brom and believes the midfielder is a special talent, who will not be fully appreciated until he gets a chance in the Premier League.

Shan was made caretaker manager of West Brom last season after head coach Darren Moore was sacked in March and was able to help the Baggies secure a top-six finish in the Championship.

West Brom would eventually miss out on promotion though, losing to Aston Villa in the play-off semi-finals and Shan left the club last month following the appointment of Slaven Bilic as the new head coach.

The Verdict

I complete agree with Shan here. Sawyers is a very talented footballer and I think he could be a fantastic singing for West Brom.

Shan will have worked with Sawyers during his role as a youth coach at West Brom, so will know all about his ability and potential.

He's one of those underappreciated talents in my opinion and I don't think he gets enough credit for how good he actually is.

Perhaps Shan is right, maybe people won't start to appreciate how good a player he is until he gets his chance in the Premier League, but he would certainly be a very good addition for the Baggies.