West Bromwich Albion take out additional loan with US investment group

West Bromwich Albion were relegated from the Premier League in 2020-21

West Bromwich Albion have taken out an additional loan with US investment group MSD Holdings.

The Championship club borrowed £20m last December, to be paid back over four years, but have not said how much extra money they have now obtained.

The new loan will support the "ongoing funding of the football club's general business operations", the club said.

West Brom are fifth in the Championship, having won four of their past five games under Carlos Corberan.

"The supplementary borrowing will provide the club with increased working capital as chairman Guochuan Lai continues to engage with parties interested in purchasing a majority shareholding in West Bromwich Albion," a club statement added.

MSD has had dealings with a number of Premier League and Championship sides, including Southampton, Burnley and Derby County, who went into administration in September 2021 and were relegated to League One, owing MSD £15m.

The Baggies' deal is with the financing group's UK holding company, registered in Cardiff.

Analysis - 'Takeover not as imminent as some fans hoped'

Steve Hermon, BBC WM Sport

There has been speculation in recent weeks that a takeover could be on the horizon for West Bromwich Albion, whose owner Guochuan Lai has made it clear he wants to sell the club he bought back in 2016.

The announcement of an increased loan, which is significantly lower than the £20 million they took out last year, would suggest that a takeover isn't as imminent as Baggies fans would've hoped, although the club's statement does say the hierarchy are "engaging with interested parties" and I understand the money borrowed is solely to help them get to the point where new owners are ready to come in.

The money must be paid back with interest over a four-year period and will continue fund day-to-day operations. It's another reminder of the precarious financial situation at the Hawthorns, which had been pushed to the back of supporters' minds thanks to recent performances on the field, particularly Saturday's impressive 2-0 victory over Ipswich.

Carlos Corberan has created a real togetherness amongst his playing squad, but the reality is, regardless of any takeover, there is still the need to lower the wage bill. That could see some of their talented players leave in the January transfer window, but I'm told there is no need for a fire sale and the club won't entertain silly offers for their stars.

The need to lower wages is down to the expected 'new deal' involving the Premier League and EFL clubs. Top-flight teams voted last week to distribute £915m over six years ,but one of the requirements is believed to be for EFL clubs to reduce their combined squad wages to 70% of their total turnover.

Like several clubs, the Baggies wage bill is higher than that figure, so even if a takeover happens off the field there could be some impact to what happens on it.