Albion are closing in on their first January signing after defender Gabriel Tamas jetted in for talks over his loan move.

The Romania international was given a guided tour of the Baggies training ground yesterday, as his switch from Dinamo Bucharest became increasingly likely.

Tamas seems set to join Roberto Di Matteo’s side on loan for the remainder of the season with reports in his native Romania claiming he has agreed a £10,000 per week deal.

The Express & Star understands the transfer is still not 100 per cent completed, with several obstacles still to be overcome before a deal can be completed.

But Tamas was at the Great Barr training centre yesterday with his representatives to meet club officials, including head coach Roberto Di Matteo and sporting director Dan Ashworth.

The Baggies are keen to add another option at centre-back with Abdoulaye Meite set to depart for Angola after Saturday’s clash with Peterborough to join Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Yesterday’s flying visit was apparently designed to help Tamas ‘hit the ground running’ if the deal is done, with the player’s agent claiming he is also due for a medical this week.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “Abdoulaye Meite is going to leave for the African Nations Cup after the Boxing Day game, so we have been looking to bring in another central defender.

“We need cover there because we are light in that position. There are a number of players we are talking to. But Tamas is one is one of them.”

Tamas’ signing cannot be completed until the international transfer window opens on January 2, making him will be unavailable for the December 28 trip to Scunthorpe and almost certainly the FA Cup game at Huddersfield on January 2.

That means Di Matteo will be forced either to recall Shelton Martis to the heart of defence for the two matches, or switch Gonzalo Jara from his midfield role.