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West Brom pushed the boat out for Sako

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Boss Tony Pulis claims West Brom did everything they could to sign Bakary Sako last summer.

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The winger, a free agent after leaving Wolves, was among a number of possible targets as Pulis aimed to strengthen in wide areas.

The Baggies, at one point, looked favourites for his signature. But despite holding talks with the head coach and officials at the club's training ground, Sako eventually signed for Crystal Palace.

The Eagles now host Albion face tomorrow in a lunchtime kick-off. Pulis admitted the 27-year-old was high on his summer wish-list.

But, while declining to go into details, the head coach insisted nothing more could have been done to tempt him to the Hawthorns.

He said: "We came close twice and just missed out. He was a player we liked and would've wanted to have brought into the club.

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"Unfortunately, for other reasons which I won't go into, we just couldn't do it. We had him here twice, he was one that got away, but good luck to him at Palace.

"Once they come in and start talking about things other than football, it's out of your control.

"As I have said before, this club has done the best they possibly can with all the things I have tried to do. He has gone to Palace and has done well there."

Queens Park Rangers' Matt Phillips and Nottingham Forest's Michail Antonio were also among the Baggies summer wing targets, but they failed to lure either.

Phillips stayed at Loftus Road, with Antonio moving to West Ham on deadline day.

Pulis has previously admitted to having not strengthened as much as he would have liked during the last window.

But hei nsists the job has helped "refresh" his appetite for management. The 57-year-old had been out of work since leaving Palace in August last year before taking over on New Year's Eve.

He said: "It's been a good job, it's a smashing club. There had to be gradual changes, everyone agrees with that and they have been gradual.

"Financially its as well run a club as any in England, I don't think many will better this. The chairman has shown in the window he won't be press ganged into selling our best players."

Albion are expected to be without record signing Salomon Rondon for today's game, after the striker suffered a back strain.

Pulis added: "We are a little bit concerned - that is the last place you want anyone having any injuries. He didn't train on Thursday and will be assessed again."