West Brom are close to re-signing C. Townsend on a free transfer, with BBC Radio WM reporting that the left-sided defender is undergoing a medical. It would be a swift return to a club he left only in 2024, after an Ipswich spell that never really got going because of injury.
The Ipswich spell
Townsend joined Ipswich from West Brom on a two-year contract in 2024, but he made just 10 appearances for the club. His last competitive game for Ipswich was the Premier League match at Chelsea in April 2025.
An ACL injury last summer then ruled him out for the entire 2025-26 campaign. That is the main reason this move looks so measured, because West Brom are not paying for upside here, they are buying a player they know well after a badly interrupted year.
Why West Brom want him back
Townsend made 213 appearances during six years in his first spell at West Brom, and he was vice-captain to Jed Wallace before leaving. BBC Sport's analysis called it "a shrewd capture as it doesn't break the bank and Albion know exactly what type of player and, more importantly, what type of character they are getting."
That fits the direction of the deal. West Brom are light in wide areas after the departures of Jed Wallace and Karlan Grant, and the club's recent form has not helped the need for depth, with four losses in their last five recorded competitive matches. Townsend's return is not flashy, but it does give them a familiar, low-risk option with Championship experience.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
