West Brom reject Chelsea offer for Brown

West Brom have rejected a compensation package from Chelsea for Isaiah Brown, a player labelled an “exciting” talent by a club official.

The midfielder has made one senior appearance for West Brom, the 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Wigan in May.

Brown came off the bench late on during that game to become the second youngest player in Premier League history at the age of 16 years and 117 days.

Capped for England at Under-17 and Under-16 level, Brown joined from Histon three years ago and had agreed to sign scholarship forms with the club prior to interest from Chelsea.

Richard Garlick, Albion’s sporting and technical director (designate), revealed Chelsea’s offer for the teenager has been rebuffed and admitted that the club are happy for any potential fee to be resolved at a tribunal.

“We are disappointed by Chelsea’s offer,” Garlick told the club’s official website.

“We have invested a lot of time and money in Isaiah’s development as a player and – as one of our most exciting academy products in recent years – we had hoped to bring him through into our first team.

“But Chelsea have forced our hands and we are more than prepared for the matter to be decided by a tribunal if needs be.

“More importantly, it makes you question why these young players are joining bigger clubs when they are likely to gain more first-team opportunities in the Premier League at clubs similar to us.”