West Brom transfer development involving Callum Styles makes complete sense: View | OneFootball

A rumoured swap deal involving the Baggies and the Tykes could be good for all concerned

With less than two weeks to go until the summer transfer window closes, there is still work to be done at West Brom.

On the pitch, it has been a promising start to the campaign for Carlos Corberan's side, taking four points from their first two Championship games.

In between those two matches, a Baggies team showing 11 changes from an opening day win at QPR, was beaten 2-1 by League Two side Fleetwood Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

That rather highlights the need for additional squad depth at The Hawthorns, and it appears West Brom may be getting creative as they aim to make further additions.

West Brom eyeing Barnsley swap deal

One player who the Baggies have been linked with this summer is Barnsley's Callum Styles, who spent the second half of last season on loan in the Championship with Sunderland.

Earlier this month, it was reported by Sky Sports that West Brom had seen a bid to sign the Hungarian international rejected by the Tykes, although the saga is seemingly not over yet.

Styles is yet to feature for Darrell Clarke's side this season amid that uncertainty around his future, and it seems Corberan's side could be set to make a fresh attempt to bring him to The Hawthorns.

According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon, the Championship club are planning to offer striker Modou Faal to Barnsley, as part of their next offer to sign Styles.

In the circumstances, it could be argued an agreement that sees the 21-year-old head to Oakwell as part of a deal to take Styles to West Brom, would make sense.

Swap deal could make sense for both clubs

Of course, given Faal is a centre-forward while Styles largely operates in a midfield role, this would not be a like-for-like deal for either side.

Even so, that does not mean it would not be a tempting one for Barnsley to agree to, if West Brom offer the correct fee alongside the 21-year-old.

So far this summer, the Tykes are yet to sign a striker, despite the likes of Devante Cole - who joined the Baggies after his contract expired - Oli Shaw and Andy Dallas leaving the club.

As a result, Clarke's side are now short on depth in that position, and there has been clamour for a striker, so bringing in Faal could be something of a relief for them.

It would also help them to add to their squad while bringing in a fee for Styles, who given his recent absence, may have a limited involvement if he does stay beyond the transfer window.

This deal may be seen as a double boost for Barnsley, certainly when compared to the midfielder leaving for free at the end of his contract next summer.

By contrast, the signing of Cole, and return of Karlan Grant following a loan spell at Cardiff City, have helped to add to the options in that position.

They also have Josh Maja, who netted a hat-trick in the opening day win at QPR to call upon to lead the line.

It should also not be forgotten that Daryl Dike is due to return from injury as well, and he has shown in the past how big a threat he can be in front of goal at this level when fit.

As a result, Corberan may feel he has enough firepower to cope with the departure of Faal from his attacking ranks, as he has done during previous loan spells for the striker.

Indeed, given the 21-year-old is now into the final year of his contract, this could be a good way for them to make some sort of return on him, as part of his potential departure.

In comparison to their numbers in attack, the Baggies are relatively short on options in the centre of the park at this moment in time.

That could ensure that swapping a striker for a midfielder, helps to give Corberan more of the balance he needs in his squad over the rest of the campaign.

With all that in mind, it does seem as though a deal that involves Faal moving to Oakwell with Styles going in the opposite direction, ought to work well for both West Brom and Barnsley.