Albion's Pablo Ibanez chase hots up

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has targeted a strengthened 'spine' to his team as the Baggies continued talking to Spain international Pablo Ibanez.

The Baggies are interested strongly in the 28-year-old Atletico Madrid centre-back, who is available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract in the Spanish capital.

Ibanez appears to match the summer recruitment blueprint laid down by head coach Di Matteo.

The Italian said: "I would like to make us a little bit stronger in defence, so that we have a better chance of winning games.

"Ideally I would like to strengthen the spine of the team if possible.

"I think the spine holds everything together."

Ibanez, who has 23 caps for Spain and stands at 6ft 3in tall, has emerged as one of the Baggies' prime targets, although reports in Spain that he has agreed a three-year deal at the Hawthorns are premature.

The former Albacete man, who was a regular starter for Spain in the 2006 World Cup, is keen for a fresh challenge to kick-start his career after a difficult two years that have seen him fall down the Atletico pecking order.

Before his loss of form the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus had been strongly linked with him.

Albion are also keeping close tabs on Stoke striker James Beattie, with the 32-year-old hoping to negotiate his exit from the Britannia Stadium after falling out of favour with boss Tony Pulis.

In addition, the Baggies are awaiting news from former loanee Steven Reid, who is mulling over offers from the Hawthorns and Celtic.

They are targeting a new goalkeeper with former Sunderland man Marton Fulop, who is now a free agent, known to be on the radar. Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Lee Grant has also been watched several times.

Di Matteo is keen to add vital top-level experience to his promotion-winning squad, but is reluctant to put a figure on the number of new faces targeted.

He said: "In theory it is easy to say I would like this many players and I would like him, him and him.

"But in practice it doesn't work like that. We haven't got an exact figure. I know exactly who I would like and we are working towards those targets.

"We will have to see how it pans out."