Why West Brom should quickly hand Rico Richards a new deal
According to a report from the Express and Star, West Brom have offered Rico Richards a new contract amid Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool interest.
Rico Richards is a talented young player in the West Brom academy and only turned 16 in September. But he has been training with the Baggies’ Under-23 side this season.
The teenage forward is out of contract at the end of the season and his potential has alerted a host of clubs, including the Premier League’s biggest names.
To fend off interest from some of England’s top clubs, West Brom must secure Richard’s future at the Hawthorns. A forward who can play on the wing or in the number 10 role, Richards netted on his debut for England under-17s and has already played for the Baggies’ under-18s.
With the 16-year-old currently training with West Brom’s under-23 side, the Midlands club believe that the talented forward can break into the first-team, the report adds.
West Brom must learn from their past mistakes and not repeat them when it comes to Richards. For example, Morgan Rogers left the Midlands outfit to join Man City in a deal worth £4m this summer. Young striker Louie Barry also created a stir during the summer window after moving to La Liga champions Barcelona.
After losing Louie Barry and Morgan Rogers to Barcelona and Man City respectively, West Brom must prevent other youngsters from leaving.
Richards is a versatile forward and is one for the future. It might be hard for the youngster to turn down a move but he must stay put at West Brom.
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The 16-year-old has made giant strides in his development and is capable of following Nathan Ferguson’s path to break into the senior team.
Verdict
Richards’ contract expires next year, meaning the club’s top brass must act soon and keep hold of one of their most promising youngsters.