Peace puts Albion focus on team-building

Albion were today redoubling efforts to strengthen Tony Pulis' squad with any takeover of the club now unlikely until next year at the earliest.

Chairman Jeremy Peace's intention to sell his 88 per cent share in the Baggies remains, despite his decision yesterday to end the exclusivity period with a potential buyer.

A number of parties remain interested, while it is also possible talks with Peace's preferred bidders could restart if the group – strongly rumoured to be from the Far East – are able to resolve the issues which brought negotiations to a halt.

But, in reality, any sale would not be concluded for several months and in the meantime the chairman is eager to support Pulis's attempts to bring in new players, with just a fortnight remaining before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Peace has always been at pains to stress takeover talks have not impacted in the slightest on those efforts, something he again reiterated in yesterday's statement updating fans on negotiations.

"It is important I re-emphasise that the possible sale of the club does not and will not impact upon its day-to-day running and this applies particularly in an area I know concerns all supporters – team strengthening," said Peace. "This is a period in which there is always an understandable impatience for new signings to strengthen our squad and nowhere is this pressure more keenly felt than at board level."

To this point, winger James McClean remains Albion's only new arrival of the summer and the club are acutely aware of a growing frustration among supporters at the lack of activity.

But they are confident of making serious headway in the next week, with a number of bids being lodged for players at clubs across Europe.

Dortmund's £10million-rated striker Adrian Ramos remains a serious target, while Albion have by no means given up hope of completing a deal for long-term targets Matt Phillips and Michail Antonio, if agreements can be reached with QPR and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, now a free agent, was meanwhile at the club's training ground yesterday undergoing a medical ahead of a proposed move, while talks with Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert's agent have also been positive.

Peace echoed Pulis' insistence they will not be 'held to ransom' in any dealings, adding: "I do believe they (supporters) will see our efforts come to fruition over the course of the transfer window."