Bednar to cost Albion £2m

Albion will pay around £2m to make striker Roman Bednar's move to the Hawthorns permanent, it was revealed today.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray confirmed last month that Albion have a secure option to sign on-loan Bednar from Hearts in the summer, preventing him being 'poached' by rival clubs.

And it emerged today that the proposed fee is around £2m, although reports in Scotland that it could rise to £2.5 are believed to be slightly wide of the mark.

Bednar has become a major hit at The Hawthorns, hitting 12 goals in 13 starts in all competitions to help Albion maintain their place at the head of the Championship.

And his form has prompted Baggies fans to demand a swift deal to sign him permanently.

However, the deal between Albion and Hearts means the only way Bednar can go elsewhere is if Albion decide not to sign him.

"The money is already agreed," said Bednar. "If West Brom want me they just pay the fee to Hearts and I will be their player.

"I think I can stay. I just want to enjoy playing football and that's what I am doing here with West Brom.

"We can see what happens in a few months. I don't want to speak about it too much but I believe everything is in place for me to stay."

Bednar's contract at Tynecastle runs until 2010 but he has made it clear he does not want to return to the troubled SPL club.

He has been repeatedly critical of Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, who he blames for spoiling the progress made by former manager George Burley.

Burley signed Bednar on loan from FBK Kaunas of Lithuania in 2005 before giving him a four-year contract in 2006.

"Tony Mowbray has made a real difference to me," said Bednar. "I think he's a great gaffer, one of the best I have worked with.

"When he was in Scotland you saw how Hibernian played and he is great on the training field. He played football at a high level so he knows what he is talking about.

"For me, this time is similar to when I arrived at Hearts. We had a similar atmosphere, everybody believed and we were winning a lot of games with George Burley."