'Apparently,' or possibly just a normal loan transfer. Loan fees are paid upfront and are non refundable the Home club retains the registration of the player. In any serious injury the player returns home for treatment as the club wants their player treated by their Dr doctors. Same thing happened when we loaned Loftus Cheek from Chelsea.

Had it not been a long term injury he would still probably be here.

Its just how loans work. It's a miracle we have not had Wickham returned as damaged goods...

This is probably good business we have to pay WBA development compensation and this will be true if he leaves us at the end of contract as he will be under 24. This link explains how it works [Link]

Also as others have said he is recovering from an operation and may not be same player he was. This deal will cover that too. the compensation to WBA is likely to be lower in terms of initial payment with clauses linked to appearances and further progress. a figure of £4 million has been suggested. This is probably too high a figure nearer £1 million plus I suspect a high figure per appearance (or number of appearances eg £2 million if he makes 20 appearances in EPL in each or any of next 3 seasons), a figure if he plays for England at senior level, or we get into europe and he has played in 30-40% of those games plus 25-30% of any sell on profit

Loving the positivity from some people on here.

Moan about not signing players and then when we do, moan about that.

Old, Ungifted and White

How long have you been a member of this site?

I'm sure some would say too long, Dermot !

Old, Ungifted and White

Glad we signed him. What's his fitness situation? I'm presuming he won't feature until pre season, whatever that will be.

Red and Blue Army!