West Brom have signed Arsenal starlet Jay Simpson on loan for the remainder of the season. Potentially, this could be an interesting transfer all-round. The Baggies will hope that Simpson can provide some added firepower to help them cling to their Premier League status. Us fantasy managers meanwhile, will be eyeing a potential bargain…

Nineteen year-old Simpson can operate out wide or as a striker and it’s that latter role that he is likely to fulfill for West Brom. Immediately this will arouse interest from managers in the Fantasy Premier League game, with Simpson classified as a midfielder available for just 5.0.

Simpson clearly has potential to hold down regular starts in the Baggies frontline. He captained the Gunners Under-18 side and became the first player to score a hat-trick at the Emirates in their FA Youth Cup win over Cardiff two seasons back. Last term he spent the season on loan at League One Millwall and scored 8 goals in 44 appearances, earning the accolade of PFA’s Fans’ League One player of the year award. More recently, he came to the fore on his return to Arsenal this season by firing a brace in the win over Wigan in the Carling Cup.

It’s difficult to anticipate how quickly he’ll settle at the Hawthrorns, but Simpson is clearly raring to go….

“They [West Brom] play good football and if I get chances to score I intend to take them,” remarked Simpson on talksport last night.

“I am just going to go there and try my hardest and try to score as many goals as I can.”

It may take time for Simpson to hit many of the fantasy games but in the FPL he becomes an immediate consideration as a brand new budget prospect in midfield. He’ll be competing for starts with Moore and Bednar of course, plus any additions Mowbray can make to his forward line in January. Clearly though, there is some potential here that needs monitoring over the coming weeks.