Throughout the summer transfer window, West Brom’s major goal has been to bring Danny Imray back to The Hawthorns on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old thrived in the blue and white stripes after joining on loan from Crystal Palace for the second half of last season, but he didn’t get a chance to show off his abilities until James Morrison was appointed interim manager following Eric Ramsay’s dismissal.

Imray shone at right-back at the close of last season, helping Albion go on a 10-game undefeated streak that ultimately kept the Black Country club in the second division.

After being freed from Ramsay’s shackles, ‘Mozza’s’ 4-4-2 system allowed Imray to maraud forward down the right-hand side and act like a second winger, with the front-footed full-back notching one goal and two assists in 16 league appearances, including Man of the Match performances against Hull City and Watford.

With such brilliant offensive exploits combined with his tenacious defensive duties, it’s easy to see why so many Albion fans want the defender to stay on the club’s books, with huge anticipation building for how the 2026-27 season could unfold if a contract is completed.

The Telegraph’s John Percy stated in May that one of the Baggies’ key goals was to re-sign Imray ahead of the upcoming second-tier season, with the ex-Blackpool and Bromley defender so important to Morrison’s plans for his squad.

Meanwhile, noted journalist Steve Tudgay revealed that West Brom were competing with eight other Championship clubs for his signing, including Wrexham and Stoke City.

According to The Telegraph’s Steve McGrath, Imray is on the verge of going to his preferred destination.

West Brom suffer a significant setback as Danny Imray closes in on the Wrexham move.

It’s bad news for West Brom in their pursuit of Danny Imray, as the defender is now unlikely to return to The Hawthorns as a regular Albion player.

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, the Baggies are about to lose the race for Imray to Wrexham, who are set to sign the Crystal Palace player for £5 million.

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McGrath tweeted from his X account that Imray is expected to be left out of the Eagles’ pre-season Como Cup squad in Italy to finalise his move to North Wales, with the full-back hoping to persuade the Red Dragons to mount another promotion bid after Phil Parkinson’s side narrowly missed out on the play-offs last year.

How West Brom fans reacted to Danny Imray Transfer Update

West Brom must move on from Danny Imray’s growth swiftly.

For everyone linked with West Brom, this is a huge punch in the stomach, with many hoping Danny Imray would return to the Baggies and continue his fantastic form from last season.

There will be no one more unhappy than manager James Morrison, who had considered reintroducing Imray into his plans a top priority, but that ambition appears to have vanished.

Despite the heartbreaking news, Albion must go on and chase other prospects, with the West Brom team still requiring extensive surgery to ensure it is fully prepared for the season’s start in three weeks.

When it comes to right-back, Albion will now be hoping to sign Rodez defender Nolan Galves, who is thought to have agreed to a move to Southampton and West Brom this summer.

The Baggies will be hoping he chooses to join The Hawthorns to remedy their right-back dilemma, with the Frenchman facing the daunting challenge of replacing Imray’s absence.

It’s a dismal start to the week for everyone in the Black Country, with Albion fans likely to be frustrated that Imray will not be wearing the blue and white stripes anytime soon.