Cedric Kipre is training hard while on holiday in Los Angeles as West Brom wait on whether he’ll be signing a new contract at The Hawthorns.
Kipre, 27, was West Brom’s player of the season last term but his existing deal in the Black Country is due to expire in 10 days’ time.
On 22 May, Albion confirmed that the former Wigan defender, Kyle Bartley and Alex Mowatt have been offered fresh contracts but almost one month on, there haven’t been any updates on the trio’s situation.
Kipre has been linked with Trabzonspor in Turkey [Sabah] but the centre-back is currently on holiday in the USA, where images from his brother’s Instagram account show that he’s keeping himself fit, taking in the sights and even wearing an Atletico Madrid shirt in Hollywood.
Kipre made 48 appearances in all competitions for West Brom last season as they finished fifth in the Championship and missed out on promotion by losing to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals.
Will Cedric Kipre sign new West Brom contract?
Albion have had a very quiet start to the summer transfer window – but most fans should be happy with that.
For the time being, the biggest priority will be keeping hold of Carlos Corberan, who has been linked with the Leicester City and Burnley jobs after an impressive campaign at The Hawthorns.
West Brom’s next task on the list will be to ensure that Kipre, Mowatt and Bartley stay because all three of them impressed last term and the team will no doubt be weakened without them.
Kipre might not be irreplaceable but he sure made himself look that way with some of his performances for Corberan in the Championship.
Speaking on BBC Radio WM on 4 May (12:34pm), West Brom legend Tony Brown reacted to Kipre winning the club’s player of the season award.
“It’s fully deserved, he’s been brilliant all season,” said Bomber Brown.
“He’s been awesome at the back, hasn’t he? An absolute rock.”
It’s good to see that while Kipre is away on holiday, soaking up the sites of Hollywood, going to shooting ranges and rocking an Atletico Madrid home shirt he’s still taking his fitness seriously.
No matter who the defender is playing for next season, he’ll be an absolute asset for them and there’s not a single West Brom fan who’s hoping it isn’t them who get the Ivorian’s signature on the dotted line.