West Brom have advantage in race for Nottingham Forest player; Shilen Patel should get him in January | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion have a Carlos Corberan-related trump card to play in the Lewis O'Brien transfer race

West Bromwich Albion are among the Championship clubs reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest outcast Lewis O'Brien, but they've got a special advantage at their disposal - and Shilen Patel must use it accordingly.

The Baggies' bubble just appears to have burst somewhat as of late. After leading the league table in the early throes of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, West Brom are now winless in their last six matches and have been forced to settle for a point in each of their last four matches against Millwall, Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City.

Of course, as the old adage goes, it's a marathon and not a sprint - and plenty of evidence remains to suggest that they'll recuperate and reignite their potential promotion bid before long. For now, though, positives have arrived at something of a premium in recent weeks.

But make no mistake about it, their reported interest in O'Brien should provide some timely green shoots of positivity and the club simply must do everything in their power to get the deal over the line in the January transfer window.

West Brom's reported interest in Nottingham Forest's Lewis O'Brien

The Baggies are eyeing up the left-footed midfielder in January

According to a recent report published by TEAMtalk, the Baggies are one of a number of second-tier clubs eyeing a swoop for O'Brien, who is currently making a strong impression away from Forest on loan with MLS outfit LAFC.

The 26-year-old has emerged as a star-turn in Steven Cherundolo's high-flying LAFC side, which features globally-renowned stars such as Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris as well as one-time Baggies loanee Carlos Vela.

Although LAFC are said to have the option to make O'Brien's stay in California permanent once the loan expires in December, several clubs are interested in his services should they choose not to splash out on his services on a full-time basis, and West Brom will reportedly face competition from Southampton, Leeds United, Stoke, Sheffield United and Hull.

It's not yet clear whether any potential switch would be a loan or a permanent deal. However, the report adds that O'Brien is not expected to play any sort of role at the City Ground when he returns from his third consecutive loan spell away from the East Midlands, having spent the entirety of the previous season back in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

Now in his second and presumably-final Stateside loan stint, after previously turning out for DC United, O'Brien's strong reputation at Championship level remains intact more than two years on from his ill-fated transfer to Forest, which came after he played a starring role for Huddersfield Town in the 2021/22 campaign.

Of course, the midfielder's suitors will envisage returning him to his levels of old, but West Brom may just be focusing on his time in West Yorkshire with added intent.

Shilen Patel must capitalise on Lewis O'Brien, Carlos Corberan factor and seal West Brom deal

The Spaniard got the best out of O'Brien as Huddersfield Town head coach

Any such interest from the aforementioned clubs appears to still be in its early stages, although it's hard to deny that West Brom likely have an added advantage in the race for his signature.

O'Brien was sensational for Carlos Corberan during the 2021/22 season as Huddersfield made it all the way to the Championship play-off final against the odds, promptly earning his move to the Premier League.

But, as he did with numerous players at Huddersfield and has continued to do so with the Baggies, Corberan had O'Brien playing the very best football of his career.

His grit and tenacity was crucial to helping Huddersfield win the ball back quickly in midfield, and West Brom could doubtless benefit from that sort of profile alongside the more techncially-gifted Alex Mowatt.

He's a class act at Championship level, and it's little wonder why so much interest is seemingly developing in his signature.

However, West Brom would be foolish to fail to at least recognise the trump card in their hand.

O'Brien finds himself at a crucial juncture of his career whereby he needs to find a permanent home and play football week-in, week-out - they will be able to offer it and he'll already know Corberan's qualities as a coach all too well.

All things considered, trying their hand for O'Brien is a real no-brainer as far as Corberan and co are concerned, and the Spaniard's previous working relationship with the midfielder could just make all the difference.