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Baggies close in on double swoop as Matej Vydra has medical

Albion hope to complete a double transfer swoop before Saturday's Premier League kick-off – starting with the signing of Czech Republic international Matej Vydra.

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The Baggies are closing in on a deal to take the 21-year-old on a season-long loan from Udinese and his arrival could be confirmed as early as today after he completed a medical yesterday.

And boss Steve Clarke still hopes to add Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair to his squad before Saturday's season-opener against Southampton.

But talks between the clubs over a deal for the 24-year-old have yet to yield an agreement with sticking points over fees and wages.

Albion turned their attentions to Vydra after admitting defeat in their efforts to lure former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou from French club Lille.

They had triggered a £2.6m release clause in the Ivory Coast international's contract and offered him a lucrative Hawthorns deal.

But both the Baggies and West Ham failed to persuade him to return to the Premier League and he now looks set to remain in France, where he believes more regular goals will help his chances of making the World Cup.

Vydra is viewed as a higher-risk signing due to his lack of Premier League experience, but the collapse of the Kalou deal persuaded Clarke to sanction a season-long loan for the Czech Republic international, who netted 22 goals in 32 starts on loan at Watford last season.

Meanwhile, the Baggies remain in talks with City over Sinclair and hope to find common ground.

The winger and his club want a permanent deal while Albion favour a loan, but they hope to reach a compromise over an initial temporary move, followed by a permanent switch next summer if conditions are met.

City want the overall package – loan and permanent fees – to recoup the £6m they paid Swansea a year ago but the Baggies are reluctant to meet that figure.

And they are at odds over the percentage of the player's wages that City would contribute, but there is optimism an agreement can be reached.

Clarke, who saw his side end their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Bologna, said: "The squad needs a few additions.

"It's definitely light. In the second half when I took James Morrison off I had to change the formation because I only had forwards and defenders on the bench."

"That alone tells you we are light in certain positions."

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