Bookmaker suspends betting on Valerien Ismael switching Barnsley for West Brom

Bookmakers Bet Victor have suspended the next West Brom manager market following the news that the Baggies have made a move for Barnsley boss Valérien Ismael.

This is according to The Athletic who report that the club are prepared to cough up the £2m buyout for Ismael, who signed a three-year deal with Barnsley back in October.

Fans had grown frustrated with West Brom’s fruitless search for Sam Allardyce’s replacement, which has so far been unsuccessful, with the relegated club opting not to appoint red-hot favourite Chris Wilder.

Michael Appleton, Alex Neil, Derek McInnes, and Karl Robinson have all been linked to the post, however West Brom have now made Ismael their top target as they bid to orchestrate an instant return to the Premier League.

Ismael, who played for Crystal Palace, replaced Gerhard Struber at Barnsley early on last season.

At the time of his appointment the Tykes were winless and one place above the relegation zone, which had raised concerns that the club could be in store for a long, hard season battling the drop.

However, the Frenchman oversaw a stunning turnaround as he propelled his new side to a remarkable 5th place finish, catching the eye through his direct, intense, pressing style of play.

As a result The Sack Race named the 45-year-old as our EFL Manager of the Season.

Barnsley missed out on promotion to the Premier League - losing to Swansea in the play-offs - but Ismael’s reputation is sky-high and his incredible work has even seen him linked with former club Crystal Palace for which he’s a 12/1 shot.

It now looks like he could remain in the Championship, albeit not with Barnsley, but West Brom.