Darren Moore: Ingredients I want already in the West Brom building

Moore defended suggestions the Baggies’ business had been modest by saying the ingredients he wanted for the season ahead are ‘already in the building’.

This summer, Albion have signed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone for £6.5m, defender Kyle Bartley for £4m and left-back Conor Townsend for £750,000.

They’ve also snapped up free agent Jonathan Bond to back up Johnstone and brought in winger Harvey Barnes on loan from Leicester.

Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to arrive on loan today as Moore’s sixth signing of the summer.

The Baggies have sold or released just five players so far, and while there is plenty of speculation surrounding Jay Rodriguez, Craig Dawson and Salomon Rondon, the squad has not been completely overhauled.

“I felt the ingredients were already in the building,” said Moore. “That’s why it’s been modest by the football club because we feel we’ve got some wonderful players in the building.

“I’m very happy with the squad of players we’ve got.

“We’re still looking to add one or two more if it’s possible to do that. but really we’re delighted with the squad.”

The Baggies have rejected a £16m bid from Burnley for Rodriguez, who is keen to rejoin his hometown club.

Newcastle were interested in Rondon and Burnley have also expressed an interest in Dawson.

“They are being coveted by other clubs because they’re good players,” said Moore. “That’s why we’re talking about them.

“But they’re contracted here and we’re delighted to have them on board.

“They’re still at West Brom. The speculation suggests we’ve got decisions to make.

“I can only speak for now. I’m happy they’re here. I’d like them to stay and continue the way they’re going.

“I always plan and prepare because they’re in the building and they’re available for selection for tomorrow.

“When next week comes we’ll approach it when it comes. At this moment I’m delighted to have them in the building.

“It can always change while this window is open. We want to add to the squad, to strengthen the squad further and while the window is open we’re open for business like everybody else.”

Dawson has handed in a transfer request to try and force a move to Burnley and former players Ben Foster and James McClean also agitated for moves back to the Premier League.

But rather than criticising his players keen to move on, Moore said he understood their ambition.

“I understand everyone’s desire,” he said. “Me as a head coach, I’d love to manage in the Premier League.

“You could say that about everyone here. Every one of us at West Brom would love to be in there, but it is what it is and we’re here in the Championship.

“It’s an exciting Championship season ahead with lots of big clubs. It’s a tough league as well know. We’re one of 24 teams vying for a positive season.

“The division has a lot of quality, there’s a lot of good players. You can’t call this division, which is what makes it exciting, it will bump, it will turn, it will twist.

“There’s very little between the teams. That’s why you go one game at a time, the old cliche.”

Moore was speaking to the media at his first pre-match press conference as permanent head coach, and he looked excited for the challenge ahead.

“It’s probably excitement because the season is upon us now,” he smiled. “Just like most clubs, we want to get out there and start playing football. We’re no different here.

“We’re building up the anticipation for the start of an exciting Championship season.”