Albion could make profit on Valero

Albion could make a profit on Premier League flop Borja Valero after their club-record signing clinched his big-money move back to Spain.

The midfielder has joined top division side Villarreal on a season-long loan, but the Spanish club have a binding agreement to make the deal permanent next summer.

Although the transfer fee will not be revealed at least until the transfer becomes permanent, sources in Spain claim the 25-year-old will cost Villarreal around £5million.

That would represent a profit on the £4.7million the Baggies paid Real Mallorca for his services two years ago.

The move back to Spain ends an anti-climactic spell at the Hawthorns for Valero, who became Albion's record signing when he joined in 2008 ahead of the Baggies' last Premier League campaign.

Yet the Spainard failed to make an impact and fell out of favour following Tony Mowbray's departure and the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as head coach.

But Valero rebuilt his reputation in La Liga last season, impressing as Mallorca fell one place short of Champions League qualification.

Financial problems meant Mallorca were unable to exercise their £3.5million option to clinch a permanent transfer and Sevilla, who did qualify for the Champions League, refused to meet Albion's valuation despite reaching an agreement in principle with Valero.

Now Valero has agreed a four-year contract with Villarreal.

And, having offloaded him, the Baggies will step up their own hunt for new faces this week.

Di Matteo still wants to add at least one new striker to his squad with former Baggie Jason Roberts of Blackburn, while out-of-favour Stoke forward James Beattie is still on the radar.

They are also keen to sign a new goalkeeper to challenge Scott Carson, with Preston's Andy Lonergan still their top target despite having one bid rejected.