Andy Lonergan has emerged as a target for West Brom (Getty Images)
According to the Birmingham Mail, West Brom are closing in on the capture of veteran shot-stopper Andy Lonergan on a short-term deal to bolster their goalkeeping department.
The 37-year-old signed a six-month deal with Stoke City in the Championship this past summer following his release from Liverpool at the end of last season. Lonergan made only a solitary appearance for the Potters, which came in an EFL Cup defeat against Tottenham.
A youth exponent of Preston North End, Lonergan went on to establish himself as a key player for his boyhood club. The former England U-21 shot-stopper tallied 231 appearances for the Lilywhites over eight seasons at Deepdale.
Following his departure from Preston, Lonergan went on to feature for the likes of Bolton, Fulham, Leeds United, Wolves and Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Lonergan joined Liverpool in 2019 and was awarded a PL winner’s medal by Jurgen Klopp despite not playing a single competitive game for the Reds. The journeyman shot-stopper has made over 400 appearances in his career but is nearing his twilight at 37.
Putting things into context, West Brom’s interest in securing the services of Andy Lonergan on a short-term deal doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Baggies need to look for some impact signings in the January window to help them in their fight against relegation but Lonergan would hardly offer any value in that regard.
Signing him on a free transfer would still have made sense had West Ham been short of cover in the goalkeeping department. That, however, isn’t the case at the Hawthorns. Sam Johnstone, who is currently the No.1, has been a rare bright spark in what has been a difficult campaign for the Baggies in the top-flight.
Besides Johnstone, West Brom have two more than handy back-ups in the form of David Button and Jonathan Bond. The latter served as the understudy to Johnstone in the Championship last term but hasn’t been in the mix this season. Bond’s contract is due to expire in the summer but Lonergan hardly represents a long-term option.
With several pressing concerns in multiple departments, West Brom have plenty of food for thought in the winter market. They don’t really need a new goalkeeper at the moment even if it means signing Andy Lonergan for free.