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West Brom signing this Norwegian star is an absolute no-brainer – would replace the ageing Barry

Why Stefan Johansen could be the perfect candidate to replace Gareth Barry

According to reports from Birmingham Live, Fulham midfield outcast Stefan Johansen is being watched carefully by Darren Moore’s West Bromwich Albion side who are in the market for a box-to-box midfielder who can control the pace of a game.

West Brom have had a fantastic season in front of goal but have let themselves down on many occasions by not finishing games off. Even with some of the players enjoying what is probably the form of their lives, there is a lot of work to do before this talented West Brom side reaches full potential.

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Currently at 4th place, Moore’s men will be eager to break past Sheffield United and Norwich City to try and beat Leeds United to the title but with 7 points separating them from the top of the table, this isn’t going to be a cake-walk at all.

For them to even think about top-spot, they will have to consistently win games – something they haven’t been able to do so far this season. Even with the West Brom strikers seemingly in top form, the results haven’t quite shown them in the best light.

With Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez both fighting it out with 14 goals each, it’s the kind of striker situation that most clubs can only dream of but the recent loss of Harvey Barnes to a loan recall has obviously affected this West Brom side.

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Also, Gareth Barry and Chris Brunt are both crucial members of their starting XI, which is a cause for concern as well. With Barry at 37 and Brunt at 34, Moore has to think about replacing the veterans with an experienced professional.

As suggested by Birmingham Live, Fulham’s Stefan Johansen could be the perfect guy for the job and West Brom are keen on bringing the Norwegian to the Hawthorns.

Having made a name for himself at Strømsgodset in Norway, he was signed by Celtic in 2014 before eventually joining Fulham in the summer of 2016. He has made just 12 appearances this campaign. A box-to-box midfielder, his passing range and quality are his main assets.

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Capable of acting as the link between the defence and the attack, his long balls and through passes are always top-notch. He is also an excellent finisher in and around the box.

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His link-up play is excellent and will suit Moore’s style of play while he can be the perfect replacement for the ageing Barry. This move is a no-brainer for West Brom and they must pull this off at the earliest.