Townsend had just one season left on his contract at the Baggies, and the newly-promoted Tractor Boys have forked out a reported £750,000 to bring him to Portman Road as a backup option for Leif Davis, who was one of the stars of the Championship last season with 20 goal contributions from left-back.
The left-back was a mainstay in Carlos Corberan’s side last season, playing 46 games in all competitions as West Brom reached the Championship play-offs, but with a year left on his deal, the club decided to cash in on the 31-year-old.
West Brom fan pundit surprised by Conor Townsend securing Premier League move
FLW’s West Brom fan pundit, Matt Smith, is surprised that Townsend has sealed a Premier League move this summer, and believes only time will tell if it was good business by the Baggies to let him leave.
Speaking to Football League World, Matt said: “I probably am surprised that McKenna wants Townsend because he’s not shown anything to justify being a Premier League player.
“Yes, he’ll be a depth player for Leif Davis, but even then you think – could Ipswich not find someone better?
“The only thing I can think of is that they’ve got really decent value there, but he’s 31, and I mean he’s not done anything in the Premier League but been decent in the Championship, so I think he could have been £1.5 million to £2 million at a push, maybe I’m exaggerating there.
“I am surprised, but is it a good deal for Albion? His contract was up next year, so I think we could have got a bit more for him. If we don’t bring in another left-back, then I’d say it’s a bad deal and questions should be asked.
“However, if we do bring in another left-back, and possibly an improvement, then it will be a good deal, but that remains to be seen.”
West Brom need full-back reinforcements this summer
The Baggies are incredibly short of full-back options following Townsend’s departure, and they currently don’t have a recognised left-back on their books, a huge concern so close to the season starting.
However, it was reported by John Percy of The Telegraph that the club see selling Townsend as good business and aim to replace him, which should reassure Albion supporters, but the Championship season gets underway in a weeks’ time and time is running out.
