West Bromwich Albion’s promotion to the top flight is set to see Slaven Bilic make some additions to the squad at his disposal this summer, and one player they have been reportedly linked is Istanbul Basaksehir full-back Junior Caicara.
The Baggies will face competition from West Ham United, for Caicara, who is valued at around £3million, as reported by The Sun.
Caicara is also interested in a move to England, but is he the right man for the Baggies?
Who is Junior Caicara?
The 31-year old spent time in Portugal, Bulgaria, and Germany, before he moved to Istanbul back in 2017.
During his time in Turkey, Caicara has been a regular in the first team for his side, and has been one of the most consistent players in the team. He has 21 assists in 141 appearances for the Turkish side, and has a lot of experience that will help even the best of sides in England.
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He is a gifted player and is effective with and without the ball at his feet. Defensively, he is happy to sit back and defend for long periods, but Caicara is at his best in transition and build-up play, which allows him to play a more advanced role.
Right player for West Brom?
Slaven Bilic used Darnell Furlong and Dara O’Shea equally at right-back in the recent Championship season. The versatile Nathan Ferguson also put in a shift when asked but he has moved on from West Brom, leaving the manager in search of a full-back in the transfer market.
(Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Ferguson made 21 appearances for his side last season, a few at left-back and a few at right-back. His quality and versatility will be a loss but Caicara could be an able replacement.
Caicara is an all-round full-back who is an asset at both ends of the pitch. He is defensively astute, hardly makes high profile errors, and has the potential to make an immediate mark in the Premier League next season.
A versatile right-back, who can play as a left-back or even in a midfield role, Caicara is quick with his feet as well as with his decision making.
At 31, Caicara is still in his prime and could be an asset for West Brom for at least another couple of years.
His price tag is also not an issue, but West Brom need to fend off interest from West Ham and should do what it takes to land Caicara.
Caicara might not be a long-term solution, but he would bring loads of experience to the club just returning to the top-flight.