Express & Star

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic not tempted by free agents

Slaven Bilic doesn't believe he will be tempted to sign any free agents – with the exception of Gareth Barry – before the transfer window reopens in January.

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Slaven Bilic

The deadline to sign players from other clubs officially passed on August 8.

But players can still be brought in if they became a free agent before that date.

That has led to speculation Bilic might add another striker to his ranks.

But while he is still being offered players, the head coach isn't expecting any arrivals.

"People are still calling, but it’s nowhere near like in the transfer window where your phone is booming," Bilic said.

"Now, every few days, someone calls about those players and I say ‘look, we are full’.

"It would be brilliant for me to have another striker, but then again you can’t have them focused (if there are too many).

"I’m telling the agents and the people who are calling, ‘listen: give us the player's name, so we can check him’.

"If there was a one off situation, if it’s a young player and we can use him, then okay – we’d consider it.

"But basically we are OK until January."

One attacking player Baggies fans haven't seen yet it is Chris Willock who joined on loan from Benfica on deadline day.

But Bilic said he sees the 21-year-old as someone who can play out wide or in the number 10 role rather than as a central striker.

"Chris – he’s got the ability and talent, he's impressing us in training," Bilic said.

"On Thursday, we played some three against twos and his decision making was great. Pace, skill, even strength.

"I don't see Chris’ best position as a lone striker.

"Those three positions behind the striker, on the wing and behind the striker – those positions are where Chris fits in. He’s that kind of player, like Grady (Diangana) and Kyle Edwards.

"He’s getting closer, but there’s competition and you have to have space to fit them all in.

"At the moment in those areas of the pitch we have some players who are playing really well.

"It’s not just Chris. Chris, like the other guys, has to wait for his chance."