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West Brom targeting “barnstorming” Price partner in dream 1st Ramsay deal
West Bromwich Albion managed to overcome Swansea City in the FA Cup at the weekend, in what proved to be James Morrison’s only game at the temporary helm.
Only a matter of hours after that dramatic penalty shootout win in Wales was clinched, Eric Ramsay would be officially confirmed as the new Baggies boss, with Albion sporting director Andrew Nestor hailing the now-ex Minnesota United head coach’s “unique coaching journey” in football as one major draw to his appointment.
Now, the real hard work will start for the former Manchester United man, with a sharp turnaround between the FA Cup win and West Brom’s next match on Friday night versus promotion-chasing Middlesbrough, back in the Championship.
Ramsay will, no doubt, give his current troops ample time to impress, but he will also want to leave his mark on proceedings via the January transfer window.
West Brom keen to land Ramsay’s first signing
After all, with West Brom loitering towards the relegation positions in the Championship, some additions through the door could do Ramsay the world of good, as he grows accustomed to the pressures of the second-tier dug-out.
Rumours have suggested that Sunderland warrior Luke O’Nien could arrive at the Hawthorns shortly, with the lively 31-year-old a two-time promotion winner in the EFL with the Black Cats.
Ramsay might also utilise his MLS connections well when attempting to seal some early signings in his new location, with the Mirror reporting (Transfer news live, 12/01/26, 09:45) that Minnesota midfielder Nectarios Triantis is on their radar, with Ramsay noted as being keen to link up with the Greek star once more.
With previous Championship experience under his belt in the past at Sunderland, too, where O’Nien was coincidentally his teammate, this could be a smart pick-up during the fledgling days of Ramsay’s reign, with Isaac Price potentially bouncing off the 6-foot-3 enforcer well, if a move comes to fruition.
Why Triantis would be perfect for Price
After all, much like Price has proven at the Hawthorns with some audacious strikes of his own, Triantis has quite the highlight reel emerging in the MLS, with this bolt from the blue effort on his Minnesota debut stunning supporters watching on.
The 22-year-old is now up to a sublime five-goal contributions for Minnesota from only ten games, with the style of football on show from the forceful midfield anchor, when also starring in Scotland with Hibernian, being labelled as “barnstorming” by writer Sacha Pisani.
This drive to bomb up the pitch from midfield and attempt a fearless effort at the opposition goal from Triantis could be just what Price needs to awaken his own campaign, with the wonderfully executed volley above his first ever Baggies goal, when Tony Mowbray was situated at the helm.
With five goals and two assists his tally in the Championship this season as well, despite his last goal contribution falling back in November, it will be up to Ramsay to get the very best out of the ex-Everton man again.
A partnership with Triantis forming in which he can protect the defence, before unleashing Price in forward areas, could perhaps be an ingenious move.
|
Triantis for Minnesota (MLS 2025) |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat – per 90 mins* |
Triantis |
|
Games played |
10 |
|
Goals scored |
3 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Touches* |
47.0 |
|
Accurate passes* |
26.9 (84%) |
|
Key passes* |
0.8 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
4.2 |
|
Total duels won* |
4.8 |
|
Stats by Sofascore |
|
Indeed, while his duel won numbers will be encouraging as the new West Brom boss tries to implement more steel into the Baggies ranks, Ramsay will also want the creative side of the Minnesota number 25 to come to the forefront, with two assists collected from ten MLS appearances.
When also plying his trade in Scotland with Hibernian, the well-rounded 22-year-old would collect a further six assists, with his former Hibs manager David Gray lauding him as a “great character” to have around the dressing room at the Edinburgh-based club.
It will be intriguing to see where Triantis immediately fits into the West Brom starting lineup, with Ramsay also possessing the likes of Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt in the holding midfield spots.
But, having worked brilliantly next to him in the MLS, Ramsay would surely favour a starting position for the 6-foot-3 star, particularly if he can immediately spark a fruitful working relationship with a dented Price, to push West Brom back up the division.
West Brom could make EFL cult hero Eric Ramsay’s dream first signing
West Bromwich Albion could seal a dream first signing for Eric Ramsay by snapping up this experienced EFL star.
