West Brom fans all saying same thing as news emerges ‘talented’ departing player turned down new contract offer

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West Brom defender opted against staying at The Hawthorns beyond this season, ahead of his imminent exit in summer transfer window.

West Brom’s Championship campaign ended in disappointment after the Baggies missed out on a top-six place, which saw Tony Mowbray sacked.

Former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason looks set to land the West Brom job, that would see him take on his first role as a senior head coach, after working in the backroom staff for Ange Postecoglou.

The Baggies’ ninth-placed finish in the 2024/25 Championship table means the squad Mason could inherit requires a major overhaul to compete amongst the play-off hunting pack next season.

West Brom fans have been confused by the Mason development, but one matter in terms of one departing squad member has the Hawthorns faithful in agreement over his decision not to remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window.

• READ MORE: Ryan Mason won’t like his transfer budget if he becomes new West Brom boss, ‘Shilen Patel has already committed’

West Brom fans react to Semi Ajayi turning down new contract offer

As the summer transfer window ensues, the Baggies have been busy in matters of recruitment, as the club is locked in a transfer battle with a Champions League side to land Josh Mulligan, the Celtic star compared to Gareth Bale.

In terms of departures, Albion’s 2024/25 retained list confirmed that the senior trio of Semi Ajayi, Grady Diangana, and John Swift will all be leaving the club come the end of June.

However, news has emerged via the Express and Star that defender Ajayi turned down the opportunity to extend his stay at The Hawthorns after Albion offered Ajayi reduced terms from his existing deal.

31-year-old Ajayi joined in 2019, and was instrumental in the Baggies’ top flight promotion, and has gone on to make 177 appearances for Albion before deciding to depart this summer.

The Baggies faithful were all in agreement about Ajayi’s bold decision when reacting to the news on social media.

One West Brom fan said: “We are already lumbered with (Kyle) Bartley for another year, we don’t need Semi as well. I’ve been a fan of his while he’s been here, but he’s very much a yesterday’s man now. It’s time to move on to new/younger players”.

Another said: “Have to agree, far too injured for a centre back and when he plays he’s decent, but not to a level you can justify keeping him, probably on a decent wage too. Big fan of his in years gone by though, particularly 19/20 season.”.

“I thought the club had moved on from offering contracts to over 30s, particularly those who are injury prone. We’re stuck with Bartley precisely due to this flawed policy”, argued one supporter.

Another said: “100% right decision to offer on reduced terms on our part”, as one Baggies fan argued: “Right decision to offer him a new contract on reduced terms”.

A sixth Albion fan posted: “Wouldn’t of considered it personally.”, as another said: “Good job he turned it down, we still don’t seem to learn from our mistakes”.

Now, West Brom must look to replace central defender Ajayi, who former boss Mowbray labelled as a “really, really talented” player.

• READ MORE: West Brom looking to beat Southampton in transfer race for highly-rated Scottish defender

Semi Ajayi’s stats after six-year stint at West Brom

Ajayi’s injury record at West Brom has been significant since he arrived from Rotherham United.

After his season was blighted by another hamstring injury, Mowbray told the BBC: “It’s disappointing for him, frustrating for him and for us,

“He’s got all the qualities to be a really, really talented player and he’s got real confidence in his mobility to defend, so it allows us to play a higher line in some games recently and try and keep the opposition away from our goal.”

Ajayi spent five months on the sidelines for West Brom this season following hamstring surgery, which has seen his gametime reduced to just 15 Championship appearances this term.

Before this season, Ajayi missed two months with a ligament injury in the 2022/23 season, and also suffered fitness concerns in the 2020/21 campaign.

Despite his ample quality and experience, the red flag regarding Ajayi’s footballing future is his injury record, which could be why the Baggies offered the 31-year-old reduced terms for next season that he subsequently rejected.