Report: Valerien Ismael targeting ‘huge player’ as his first West Brom signing

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West Brom manager Valerien Ismael is reportedly hoping to land Alex Mowatt as his first new signing at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies appointed Ismael on Thursday, the 45-year-old becoming Sam Allardyce’s successor.

Ismael left Barnsley to link up with West Brom and, according to The Athletic, could target one of his former club’s stars.

Mowatt is set to become a free agent, with his Tykes contract expiring at the end of the month.

Ismael apparently wants a quick reunion with the man who captained his Barnsley side to the Championship playoffs last season.

The Tykes have made Mowatt a new offer, while other Championship clubs have approached the 26-year-old too, added The Athletic.

Who is Alex Mowatt?

Mowatt came through the ranks at Leeds United and made more than 100 appearances for the Whites.

He joined Barnsley in 2017 and has made 146 appearances for them in League One and the Championship.

Last season, Mowatt scored eight goals and registered seven assists in 46 Championship matches for the Tykes.

West Brom set to land the next Barry Ferguson?

According to the Daily Record, Mowatt was described as a “young Barry Ferguson” while at Leeds.

Four years ago, Mowatt was on loan at Oxford United, and then manager Pep Clotet sung his praises.

“There’s a huge player inside of him and it showed he can be calm in a difficult moment like that and was able to have a quality finish,” he told the Oxford Mail.

“Although he’s really young, the composure he shows when it comes to attacking the box is very good.”