Exclusive: West Brom told to "maximise" one factor of potential Tom Fellows exit as Everton eye deal | OneFootball

David Prutton spoke exclusively to Football League World about Tom Fellows' future at West Bromwich Albion amid interest from Everton

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert David Prutton has told West Bromwich Albion to maximise what they could potentially receive for Tom Fellows, who has been strongly linked to Everton in recent months.

The Baggies academy product enjoyed a breakthrough into Carlos Corberan's side during the second-half of the previous season as the Spaniard inspired a top-six finish.

As expected, though, Fellows has taken his game to another level this season, establishing himself as one of the Championship's most dangerous wingers. A crossing specialist, the lively 21-year-old has assisted the joint-most goals in the division with eleven, and his tricky runs and pinpoint deliveries from the byline have given Albion a direct, old-school outlet in their bid for a second successive shot at achieving promotion through the play-offs.

Fellows' age, profile and output have all made him a desirable proposition, mind you, and he has not been short of interest in recent times. The winger has been routinely linked to Everton, who, according to a report from Football Insider, are "well-placed" to land his services this summer after seeing a deal fall through in the January transfer window.

The Baggies could struggle to retain Fellows if their pursuit of Premier League falls short, and they have been advised to fight to collect the highest possible fee if he pushes for a move to Merseyside this summer.

David Prutton issues West Brom, Tom Fellows transfer advice amid Everton interest

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton hailed Fellows' performances this season and explored the possibility of the one-cap England U21 international desiring a swifter route to the top-flight with David Moyes' side.

Prutton believes that West Brom need to "maximise" what they can potentially receive for Fellows and ensure they collect a healthy cash injection which could help Tony Mowbray fill the attacker's void, should he leave the West Midlands in the coming months.

"He's the type of player that Tony Mowbray would love to work with and get a tune out of," Prutton told FLW.

"The ability to allow him to express himself going forward from the wider parts of the pitch, being able to work with strikers and build up that rapport through strikers knowing when the ball is going to come into the box because of the traits that he's got.

"Even though he's still a young player, he's got a fair bit of game time under his belt and he would be as ambitious as anyone else to make sure he gets Premier League experience, whether that's with West Brom via the play-offs - time will tell - or if there's a more straightforward route with Everton at the end of the season.

"Again, time will tell, it will depend on finances. West Brom will need to maximise what they can get for a player they know a lot about and to make sure they have enough cash to fill a gap he would undoubtedly leave."

West Brom should look at Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke with Tom Fellows' potential Everton transfer

Championship clubs are often powerless when it comes to retaining their prized assets amid interest from the Premier League, which means the Baggies' focus could instead go towards maximising the outlay.

Last summer, two top-class wingers from the second-tier in Jaden Philogene, then of Hull City, and Jack Clarke joined Aston Villa and Ipswich Town respectively.

As per reports, the Tigers collected £13.5 million for Philogene after Villa met Ipswich's £18 million offer for the talented winger; one such clause meant that they were able to match any offer, while a 30 percent sell-on clause included in the deal to take him from Villa Park the previous summer saw Hull ultimately receive a lower fee.

Clarke, meanwhile, headed to Portman Road following a dazzling campaign with Sunderland for a reported £15 million fee, which could eventually rise to £20 million.

Both Philogene and Clarke were unplayable for much of 2023/24 and commanded slightly higher fees than what Albion may expect to net for Fellows, but they should still look and anticipate to collect a sum between £13 million and £20 million.

Fellows has also been an outstanding winger in the Championship this season, has considerable top-flight interest and West Brom do not need to sell, so Prutton is right to advise them to collect as much as possible.