West Bromwich Albion Transfer Rumours: 5 Potential Replacements for Scott Carson

In the last few days, Scott Carson completed a move to Turkey where he is set to play for Bursaspor alongside fellow Brit, Kenny Miller. Carson played 32 times in the EPL last season, and his departure leaves only Boaz Myhill as a viable replacement in goal. Roy Hodgson dropped Myhill after his first game in chance of West Brom, indicating a potential lack of confidence in the Welshman's ability. 

Regardless of his views on Myhill, Hodgson will surely dip into the transfer market in order to replace his former No. 1 and plug a leaky defence that managed only two clean sheets last season.

Here are five potential replacements for Carson. 

Acquiring Green would be replacing one often-ostracised England international for another. However, despite his flaky international tendencies, Green has admirably maintained a strong level of consistency in the Premier League, despite often tumultuous surroundings at West Ham.

Last season he ranked ninth out of EPL goalkeepers in the EA Sports Player Performance Index. His below-par return of five clean sheets in 37 games played is more of a reflection of West Ham’s dire plight last season. 

As West Ham is no longer featured in the Premier League following their recent relegation, Green heads the cast of players likely to be imminently fleeing Upton Park. Depending on other bidders, his price may have diminished slightly due to his current status.

Not so long ago, Green seemed fated to become the England No. 1 for years to come. At that time he was also heavily linked with a move to top clubs such as Arsenal. Now, with his stock fallen slightly, a move for Green could end up as a real coup for Hodgson, who feels he could revitalise the 31-year-old.

Another England international, Foster was originally ahead of Green in the pecking order. His bizarre retirement from international football (at just 28,) however, has taken him out of that equation.

The retirement seems to do with Joe Hart and Foster’s ambitions to not spend every international weekend traipsing around Europe to merely sit on a bench for 90 minutes. In terms of his club career, this would only freshen him up for his employer and potentially benefit his performances.

As with Green, Foster suffered relegation with Birmingham and would be looking for a move back to the Premier League. He was ever-present last season, ranked fifth best goalkeeper and managed nine clean sheets—tied for eighth-highest tally in the EPL—underlining Birmingham’s frailties going forward. 

A move for Foster may be the one most desirable to West Brom fans, yet a stumbling block may be price and how coveted Foster turns out to be. Not so many EPL teams appear in the market for a first-team goalkeeper, although Aston Villa could provide stern challengers for Foster’s signature.

Harper’s name has cropped up in a few tabloids when replacements for Carson have been discussed. Initially, this seems an odd link.

Harper seems to be a player so loyal to Newcastle United in the past that he was prepared to wait almost eternally for Shay Given to depart the Toon Army. In 18 years at Newcastle, he has only managed just over 150 league appearances—barely four full seasons.

What may cause a move is that it seems possible Tim Krul may be given the goalkeeping gloves next season and Harper, entering the twilight years of his career, may seek first-team action elsewhere. Fraser Forster also enjoyed a promising season on loan at Celtic, and Newcastle may prefer to give youth a chance next year.

Harper is already 36, and while the latter years are often the most fruitful for goalkeepers, a move may not be met as keenly by supporters as a move for a goalkeeper in the England reckoning. Harper may come cheaper than other options, but his career has often been punctuated by injury. Last season he only managed 18 appearances, as injury and the form of Krul kept him out.

Available on a free transfer, this seems a very feasible fit. Kuszczak spent three years at the Hawthorns, announcing himself to the world with some remarkable saves before Manchester United moved for him. Now that his time at Old Trafford is through, a return to West Brom would give Kuszczak a chance to resurrect himself in the Premier League at an environment he is already familiar with. 

Some may question the amount he has played since he left the Baggies, yet as Manchester United play so frequently in so many competitions, there were generally always opportunities for Kuszczak. Despite persistently occupying the bench under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Polish stopper predominately managed to clock up 10 to 15 games every season during his five-year stay. 

At 29, Kuszczak would be entering the prime years of his career as a goalkeeper and financially, this could be the most sensible move. The other targets on this list would all require substantial bidding, but Kuszczak could arrive for nothing, as he is out of contract. Hodgson would be saving precious funds for other transfer targets whilst purchasing a proven Premier League talent.

A wild card thrown into this bunch, Macho was sounded out by his international teammate Paul Scharner. Macho has gained experience of top-flight football in England with Sunderland and Chelsea and has a wealth of international experience with Austria, as he was featured in all of their matches in Euro 2008. 

However, apart from his obvious connection with Scharner, it is hard to see the attraction. Macho’s career has often seen him as the second-choice goalkeeper. He was understudy to Thomas Sorensen at Sunderland and was so far down the depth chart at Chelsea that he failed to register a competitive appearance for the club.

In recent times his career has become a tad nomadic. After finishing in England, he went to Austria, then Germany, then returned to Austria before heading to Greece. Were Macho to be sought after, it could be a sign Hodgson does have faith in Myhill as a potential No. 1 goalkeeper. Were Macho bought and installed as the main goalkeeper, Myhill would certainly feel hard done by.