West Brom ace set to depart club in summer as squad overhaul planned

West Bromwich Albion could look to let Matt Phillips depart the club this summer on loan or permanently, as Steve Bruce looks to shape his squad for the future, according to The Athletic.

Phillips, 31, was signed by West Brom in 2016 whilst the club operated in the Premier League for around £5.9 million from Queens Park Rangers and has since gone on to make 170 appearances for the Baggies.

Despite signing a contract extension until 2024 only last year, it is believed that the club will look to offload the player in the coming summer transfer window, as Bruce plots 'a bit of a change' for next season and a reduction in the wage bill.

Commenting on the upcoming transfer plans for the club, the manager stated: “If we finish halfway in the division then this club shouldn’t accept that. We’re going to have to make a bit of a change. And we all [the coaching staff and the board] have to be on the same hymn sheet. If you have to make changes you have to make changes. And I do feel we need a breath of fresh air through it. Absolutely.

"In the past, I took three players from Arsenal when I was at Birmingham who helped us get promoted,” Bruce added.

“I got a couple of free transfers. These days you don’t have to spend big money. It’s nice if you’ve got a little bit don’t get me wrong. But there are some very good players out of contract. We’ve got to be ahead of the game in that respect.”

Phillips has struggled this season with just three goals and two assists in 16 starts. He has missed the last ten games through either injury or being left out of the matchday squad and is yet to make an appearance under Bruce, which could hint why the club are looking to move him on this summer.