Alan Nixon drops big WBA transfer claim on "towering" machine, supporters will love it - opinion

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce recently spoke about the business that the Midlands club will be looking to complete during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Having failed to get back into the Premier League this year, the 61-year-old said that he is “quietly confident” that he will be able to create a squad at The Hawthorns which will be ready to take on next season and make a push for the top flight.

Even before the current Championship season has drawn to an end, it seems as though one player has been identified as a potential incoming for the Baggies.

According to journalist Alan Nixon (via Birmingham Live), West Brom are looking at signing Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan this summer.

Since making his senior debut for the Lancashire club in April 2015, the Irishman has gone on to make 252 appearances across all competitions. In that time, the defender has scored 10 goals and provided six assists along the way.

This season has seen the centre-back play in 41 league games for Blackburn, with no other defender in their squad clocking up more minutes than him.

During those matches, the 28-year-old has made 58 interceptions and won 43 tackles, highlighting just how reliable a defender he is.

Labelled a “towering” player by his manager Tony Mowbray, the centre-back has averaged 5.1 successful aerial duels per game in the league this season, the second-highest at Blackburn.

As well as his impressive defensive output and occasional deadliness in front of goal, Lenihan’s overall performances have also shown how important he is to his side.

According to WhoScored, the defender is currently listed as Blackburn’s highest-rated player with an overall rating of 7.1/10.

This shows just how capable he is of