West Bromwich Albion have entered discussions with Manchester United over a permanent transfer for midfielder Toby Collyer, according to reports, with the negotiations understood to be at an early stage.
Collyer, 22, has spent the pre-season period training with Michael Carrick's Manchester United squad and even featured in the second half of last week's draw against Leeds United, which was played at Croke Park in Dublin. He was handed minutes in that fixture partly due to the unavailability of Mason Mount, who was sidelined through injury.
Despite his involvement in United's pre-season plans, it has long been expected that Collyer would depart Old Trafford before the new campaign gets underway. The midfielder already has experience of life at The Hawthorns, having spent the first half of last season on loan with West Brom, where he made 12 appearances, three of them starts, before returning to Manchester United in January.
Following his spell at West Brom, Collyer was sent out on loan again, this time to Hull City, once he had recovered from a calf problem. However, his time at the MKM Stadium was disrupted by further fitness setbacks, limiting him to just five appearances for the Tigers.
Hull, who have since secured promotion to the Premier League, had been reported as interested in re-signing Collyer this summer, but no agreement was reached between the clubs. That has opened the door for West Brom to move forward with their own approach for the young midfielder, aiming to bring him back to the Championship side on a permanent basis rather than through another loan arrangement.
Collyer remains contracted to Manchester United, and his continued presence in Carrick's pre-season squad suggests the Red Devils are keeping their options open, even as talks with West Brom progress. His appearance against Leeds United indicates he is still viewed as part of the wider squad picture at Old Trafford, at least for now, though the expectation across the summer has been that his long-term future lies elsewhere.
For West Brom, securing Collyer permanently would represent a vote of confidence in a player who impressed during his initial loan spell, even if injuries have since interrupted his development. The Baggies will be hopeful that finalising a permanent deal could give the midfielder greater stability and a clearer pathway compared to the loan moves he has experienced over the past year.
Manchester United, for their part, must weigh the value of retaining a player who has struggled to nail down consistent first-team opportunities against the benefits of cashing in or negotiating a permanent exit that could also include potential sell-on clauses or future buy-back options, though no such details have been confirmed at this stage.
As the transfer window progresses, both parties are expected to continue discussions, with West Brom keen to strengthen their midfield options ahead of the new season. Any resolution will likely depend on valuation, contract terms, and Manchester United's own squad planning as they finalise their preparations under Michael Carrick.
Further updates on Collyer's situation are expected as talks between West Brom and Manchester United continue in the coming weeks.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.