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Tyler Roberts: Why Leeds United have Liverpool to thank for signing
LEEDS UNITED have signed West Brom forward Tyler Roberts - and the Championship giants have Liverpool to thank.
Leeds United are set to sign Tyler Roberts from West Brom
Leeds have agreed an initial £2.5million fee - potentially rising to £4m - with the Baggies for the Wales Under-21 international after a round of talks yesterday.
West Brom manager Alan Pardew was set to bring Roberts into the first-team fold following his return from a loan spell with League One club Walsall.
However, Pardew’s capture of England striker Daniel Sturridge on a loan deal from Liverpool freed up Roberts to leave.
The 19-year-old’s contract at The Hawthorns was due to expire at the end of the season and West Brom wanted to avoid losing him for minimal compensation in the summer.
Leeds transfer news LIVE: Deadline day updates
West Brom are selling Tyler Roberts after loaning in Daniel Sturridge from Liverpool
So Leeds’ late bid allowed them to bank a sizeable fee now.
Roberts completed his medical before putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Speaking about the deal following the goalless draw at Hull City last night, Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen said: “It's a player that we have been follow and a young talent that can help the team.”
Roberts made his Premier League debut for West Brom on the final day of the 2015/16 season.
He scored five goals in 19 appearances for Walsall in the first half of this season.