Paul Barber on Pascal Gross's return and Carlos Baleba rumours

2026-01-03T15:00+00:00

Pascal Gross re-joined Albion on an 18-month deal on Friday. 📷 by James Boardman.

Chief executive and deputy chair Paul Barber has welcomed the return of club legend Pascal Gross, who was named as a substitute for today’s game with Burnley.

Speaking ahead of kick-off Barber has also confirmed the club has no plans to sell midfielder Carlos Baleba.

He said, “It’s fantastic to have Pascal back, he played over 250 games for the club over seven seasons, scored a lot of goals, created a lot of goals, is very popular on and off the pitch not just with the players and coaches, but staff around the club and obviously the fans. When Pascal left it was because he wanted to play for his boyhood club, but I think his heart remained here. When he left he eluded to the fact it might not be the last time we would see him here.

Pascal Gross runs out at the Amex ahead of Saturday's game against Burnley. 📷 by James Boardman.

“The fans took that to mean maybe he’d return as a coach at some point in the future, but we are delighted to have him back as a player.”

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has also says Gross has an important part to play in the second half of the campaign.

“We know that Pascal was a big player in the past and we all hope that he can be a big player in the present and today and in the next weeks he will be an important player in our squad, he knows how to win Premier League games.

“We haven’t brought him in to sit on the bench. We’re all happy that he’s back, he’s a big part of my thoughts.”

Meanwhile Barber also said the club is looking forward to having Carlos Baleba back from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Carlos Baleba is currently away with Cameroon competing at AFCON. 📷 by James Boardman.

“[We’ve had] no call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United. We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos Baleba in this window or any future window,” said Barber.

“We know he’s a talented player and I am sure he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future. For us he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to having back from AFCON.”

Barber also all but ruled out any likelihood of a recall for Evan Ferguson from his loan spell in Rome, adding, “It’s very unlikely, I would say. We don’t have that option, so if he were to comeback it would be because the club that has him at the moment doesn’t need him in the second half of the season.

“At the moment it seems very unlikely – he’s playing well and scoring goals, it’s not really one that is in our gift.”

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Dario Vidosic addresses the media ahead of Albion's first game of 2026. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Pascal Gross was Albion's first signing as a Premier League club. 📸 by James Boardman.

Caylan Vickers spent the first half of the campaign with Barnsley. 📸 by James Boardman.