Slaven Bilic wants four more at West Brom

With the deadline coming up on Thursday, the Baggies have made four permanent signings in Kenneth Zohore, Semi Ajayi, Darnell Furlong and Romaine Sawyers.

Filip Krovinovic has also come in on loan for the season. But Bilic wants ‘quality and quantity’ and particularly alluded to his shortage of striking options.

“On one hand, I can’t wait for it to stop. I’m tired of it. On the other hand, I pray for another day,” said the Baggies chief. “I’ve said to the board it would be a shame for us not to finish our business.

“We have done half the job, it’s pure mathematics. I have a good team and I’m happy, but we need quality and quantity.

“On Saturday, we only had Jonathan Leko and Oliver Burke up front (on the bench). Hal Robson-Kanu was suspended. We don’t have any more.”

A couple of last season’s key players have left the club in Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson, joining Premier League clubs Burnley and Watford respectively.

Dwight Gayle returned to Newcastle after the end of his 26-goal loan spell at The Hawthorns, and Salomon Rondon – who shone on loan at Newcastle last campaign – was sold to Chinese club Dalian Yifang, managed by former Magpies gaffer Rafa Benitez, for £16.5m.

Albion have received good money for the players they have sold, and Bilic says he has been told by the club’s hierarchy the necessary funds are available. “To be fair, we lost 12 players – eight of them regular players from last season, eight good players,” said Bilic.

“And now we’ve got four (permanent) in, so we need four. Hopefully, we are going to get them. It’s not easy, but we have to do it. I was told we have the money. We sold players – Rondon, Rodriguez, Dawson – for some good money, major players. We should have it, so, hopefully.”

The Baggies would like to re-sign Mason Holgate on loan from Everton, but Sheffield United, after getting promoted to the top flight, have made an approach to sign the 22-year-old on loan.