£3m West Brom star’s career could end if Morrison re-signs Reyes Cleary

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison has moved quickly to strengthen his options at the other end of the pitch in the summer transfer window.

Midfielder Barney Stewart has been brought in on a permanent deal from Falkirk to replace Daryl Dike, who left at the end of his contract earlier this month.

The Scotland international scored 18 goals in all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign for Falkirk and Dunfermline combined, and will compete with Aune Heggebo for the starting XI.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan has also been brought in on a permanent deal from Chelsea after the 14-goal attacking midfielder was loaned out to League One side Peterborough United last season.

Stewart and Morgan may not be the only strikers added to the squad this summer, however, as they have also been linked with Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary.

Why West Brom got Reyes Cleary wrong

The Baggies made a big mistake with the England international as he came through the youth ranks and excelled at the academy level, scoring 57 goals for the U18s and U21s.

Despite his impressive academy form, Cleary was given just 55 first-team minutes in the club’s two Championship appearances before being sold to Barnsley last summer.

Twelve months later, the 22-year-old is worth £3m from the League One side after a successful campaign with seven goals and 16 assists in all competitions for the 2025/26 season.

The Baggies didn’t give him enough opportunity to show his first-team quality at The Hawthorns, and his form for Barnsley should come as no surprise, given what he produced for West Brom’s academy.

Now, Morrison can correct the club’s mistake by trying to bring him back after just 12 months, to strengthen the quality of his options in wide areas.

Birmingham City have also been linked with the left-back, however, so it will not be an easy task to convince him to return to The Hawthorns in the coming weeks, even if they are willing to pay a £3m price tag.

West Brom player who could suffer if Reyes Cleary signs

If Morrison can strike a deal to bring Cleary back to the club before the end of the summer transfer window, it would be bad news for one of his current players.

Mike Johnston watched from the sidelines at the end of the season as his team-mates secured Championship survival, having suffered a season-ending injury at the end of February.

The Irishman had a mixed game before his injury, as he struggled at the lower end of the pitch and did not contribute many goals to the team.

A return of nine assists in 34 games is far from a poor return for the defender, who was signed by Celtic for £3m in the summer of 2024, but the Baggies should expect more than two goals in 34 games from one of the forwards.

Consistency was a problem for Johnston. Before his injury, the 27-year-old striker had not scored or assisted a goal in 13 consecutive games in all competitions.

Since signing permanently for the Hoops ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, the Irishman has scored two goals and provided 15 assists in 78 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Cleary, on the other hand, has produced seven goals and 16 assists for Barnsley in the 2025/26 season alone, suggesting he has the potential to provide more quality and consistency at the other end of the pitch, particularly as a goalscorer.

The young England international, therefore, could step in and take Johnston’s place in the starting line-up regularly, which could leave him struggling for game time next term.

Johnston has made just nine of 98 appearances for the Baggies as a right winger, including his first loan spell, and it’s not a position he’s comfortable in, meaning he won’t make the first team as often if Cleary takes over.

Therefore, the return of the 22-year-old talent could end up being the beginning of the end for Johnston, who may have to consider his future at The Hawthorns if a better left winger is in the works.