West Brom must target ‘brilliant’ Championship free agent this summer, he has a point to prove in 2025/26

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The Championship free agent market is littered with quality potential options, which has been added to with the recent release of a seasoned second tier shot-stopper.

Following the conclusion of last season, the Championship free agent market has been bolstered by some exceptional second tier talent, with many clubs targeting those released by their respective clubs.

Regarding the Baggies, there is one free agent that Ryan Mason should be targeting, after West Brom signed Nat Phillips from Liverpool to make him the club’s first summer signing.

Phillips chose West Brom over Derby County due to the “high aspirations” of the club’s hierarchy for the 2025/26 Championship.

After Mason was named as the new West Brom boss, and the acquisition of Phillips, anticipation is high at The Hawthorns ahead of next season and there is one recently released second tier star that the club should be making a move for in the summer transfer window.

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Ryan Mason should sign free agent Angus Gunn for West Brom

Throughout the 2024/25 campaign, West Brom endured turbulence in the goalkeeping department.

Alex Palmer began the season as number one, keeping 11 clean sheets from 30 Championship outings, before then-Premier League Ipswich Town signed Palmer in the mid-season window.

Following Palmer’s departure, Joe Wildsmith was employed as his successor by Tony Mowbray, but he failed to live up to his predecessor Palmer’s mantle after keeping just two clean sheets in 10 games.

As a result, free agent Angus Gunn would be a sensible acquisition for West Brom, following his release from Norwich City.

Norwich signed Daniel Grimshaw as Gunn’s replacement earlier in the window, and are poised to add to their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of Vladan Kovacevic for £2m.

Championship expert Ryan Dilks told the Second Tier podcast regarding Gunn: “I’m not sure there’ll be many occasions where Championship clubs can get a goalkeeper of his ability, on a free transfer.

“Yes, he’s coming off the back of a bad season, but if you get him back to the goalkeeper who we saw 12 months prior, then that’s a brilliant, brilliant pick up for someone.”

Although Gunn himself endured a season below his usual standards in 2024/25, his experience and proven qualities in goal would make him a brilliant signing for the Baggies, with the Scotsman fuelled by his controversial Canaries release.

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‘Sad’ Angus Gunn has point to prove after Norwich City release

Gunn was released by his boyhood club Norwich this summer, calling time on his second spell with the Canaries that took his tally to 172 games.

After months of speculation over his future, Gunn told the PinkUn about his departure: “It’s difficult because there wasn’t really a conversation. It’s one of them that I don’t really know too much.

“There wasn’t a reason that I got. Obviously, the club just want to go down a different route. I feel sad, but I wouldn’t say let down or disappointed.

“As a fan and player, I would have liked a conversation to see what we could do, but I know what I’m worth. If this club is not going to align with that, then I’m happy to go elsewhere.”

With Gunn having a point to prove his former side wrong next season, and the Baggies clearly in need of a better goalkeeper than Wildsmith, the arrival of the Scottish international shot-stopper would make great sense for both the player and the Baggies.

Especially considering that Mason won’t get a massive transfer budget this summer for his first window in charge, signing a player of Gunn’s calibre and experience for nothing is an opportunity that the Baggies must not miss out on.