Bologna chief breaks silence on £10m Torbjorn Heggem deal as West Brom exit nears

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Ryan Mason is set to lose Torbjorn Heggem from his West Brom backline with the giant Norwegian on the verge of swapping the Championship for Serie A and Bologna.

Despite only joining The Baggies a year ago from Swedish outfit IF Brommapojkarna, and despite his time in England coinciding with the departure of Carlos Corberan and Tony Mowbray’s ill-fated spell, Torbjorn Heggem made quite the impression.

So much so that his imminent departure from the Hawthorns will see West Bromwich Albion rake in a fairly colossal profit.

West Brom accepted Bologna’s £10 million bid earlier this week. As such, the 6ft 6ins southpaw leaves the Midlands for around £9.5 million more than the fee Albion paid to sign him in the first place.

Heggem was pictured undergoing medical tests in Italy on Thursday, via Tuttomercatoweb.

Bologna director Marco di Vaio, meanwhile, feels comfortable enough to proclaim this as not so much a done deal but a deal that will be done sooner rather than later.

Torbjorn Heggem’s West Brom exit confirmed by Bologna chief Marco di Vaio

Speaking to Rai 3, ahead of a transfer which will see Heggem follow in the footsteps of Joshua Zirkzee, Dan Ndoye, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Di Vaio admitted that the finish line is within sight.

“We’re finalising the final details. We hope to have him soon,” said the former Juventus, Valencia and Italy striker. “Then, we will complete the squad, including some missing pieces.

“Next year, we’re aiming to confirm our position [as one of the top clubs in Italy].”

After qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time in 2024, an upwardly-mobile Bologna outfit followed that up by ending a 51-year trophy drought.

Ndoye, who has since joined Nottingham Forest to the tune of £35 million, scored the only goal of the game in a jubilant Coppa Italia triumph over AC Milan in May.

Heggem, then, leaves West Brom for a team offering European football. Plus, the chance to develop his talents at a club renowned for turning huge profits in the transfer market.

Ryan Mason discusses Heggem talks as Toby Collyer and Krystian Bielik loom

In more positive news, West Brom are set to sign Toby Collyer on loan from Manchester United. Krystian Bielik could join from Birmingham City as well. Additions may still be required at the top end, though, amid injury concerns surrounding Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

West Brom reportedly bid £2.5 million for Chris Ramos of Cadiz. He touched down in Brazil on Wednesday, however, ahead of a switch to Botafogo.

“There’s obviously conversations,” Mason said in his Thursday press conference when asked about Heggem’s impending departure. “It has accelerated quite quickly in the last couple of days.

“Nothing’s been confirmed yet but we’re all aware of Heggy’s situation. It’s probably something a lot of us might have expected if it does go through.

“He had a great season last year and there’s obviously been quite a lot of interest in him. If it does happen, we wish him all the best. We thank him because he’s been a great player and also a really good person.

“It’s people’s responsibility to step up [to replace Heggem]. Hopefully our boys can do that,” adds the former Tottenham Hotspur coach, whose Albion side travel to Wrexham this weekend.

“It was something that we anticipated. It’s probably not come as a shock. It’s something we’re prepared for.

“We understand the situation we’re in as a football club. I think the new ownership and everyone involved is doing an incredible job at navigating us through that. So, yes, there are certain things that probably will get done with that in mind as well.”