Express & Star

West Brom in no rush to sell Claudio Yacob

West Brom boss Alan Irvine today insisted he is in no rush to sell midfielder Claudio Yacob despite growing interest from a host of European clubs.

Published
Here's what Albion fans will be missing if he goes...remember the reaction when Claudio Yacob scored at Arsenal?

The Baggies are willing to listen to offers for the Argentina international midfielder and have received one firm bid from an unnamed continental side.

But after being frustrated in his bid to sign wingers and strikers to boost his squad, Irvine is not keen to let any current players leave – including Yacob.

"We're not looking to sell," said Irvine. "We're trying to build the squad at this moment.

"But if someone comes in and makes an offer at a certain level, the club will decide whether to do business or not.

"We're not actively looking to sell Claudio, definitely not. But could it happen? Could someone come in for him? Possibly.

"We're not close to bringing anyone in and, likewise, I don't believe we are close to sending anyone out."

Irvine finally completed the signings of full-backs Cristian Gamboa and Jason Davidson this week to complete his defensive rebuilding.

Davidson has trained with his new team-mates while Gamboa is waiting for his work permit to be processed before joining the squad.

Record £10m signing Brown Ideye is finally on his way to England after collecting his visa in Lagos yesterday.

But Irvine is still frustrated by knock-backs in his bid to recruit more widemen and an extra forward.

"We need another option up front so those are areas we are looking to strengthen," he said.

"We're enquiring and looking at an unbelievable number of players. It's just proving very difficult."

Gareth McAuley (calf), Joleon Lescott and James Morrison (both knee) will miss tomorrow's Hawthorns friendly against Porto (4pm) through injury while Davidson is short of match fitness so will miss out.

(Video courtesy of West Brom)

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.