Sporting director Dan Ashworth insists Albion will continue to scour the world for signings despite admitting boss Roberto Di Matteo has restored a British core to the squad.

Ashworth believes the Baggies’ worldwide scouting network is vital for the club to get the best value for money in the transfer market, but admits their new head coach had insisted on a more ‘British feel.’

Chile international Gonzalo Jara is the latest international name to join the squad.

The sporting director said: “There’s no question in the current climate you need to spread the net across Europe and the rest of the world because, in terms of transfer fees, it represents better value for money than buying within the UK market.

“There is a huge imbalance between what, for example, Middlesbrough are thought to be paying for Sean St Ledger, which is well in excess of £3million, perhaps as much as £4million with add-ons, and the fee we played for Jonas Olsson last summer at less than £1million, Gonzalo Jara this summer at around £1.4million and so on.

“It’s a reflection on the fees between British clubs. Gonzalo is a Chile international, a regular, and they are second in their World Cup group.”

But Di Matteo has encouraged an increase in British recruitment, with the likes of Simon Cox and Joe Mattock arriving.

Ashworth added: “I think he wanted a spine of British players.”