Express & Star

West Brom linked with Croatian defender Domagoj Vida

Albion are leading the race to sign Croatian defender Domagoj Vida, reports in Turkey have claimed.

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Domagoj Vida of Besiktas. (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

The 31-year-old – who can play at centre-half and right-back – is set to leave Besiktas this summer and is understood to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Turkish news outlet Fanatik previously reported Albion are willing to pay £6.3million for Vida who has also been linked with moves to Roma, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Monaco and Lyon.

But rival publication Sabah is now claiming it is the Baggies who are at the front of the queue for the Croatian’s signature.

Besiktas are keen to offload Vida this summer to ease their financial troubles with the former Dynamo Kyiv man their top earner. But his reported £70,000 a week wages are likely to be too much for Albion who are determined to box clever in the transfer market.

The Baggies have set what they believe is a competitive transfer budget.

But with significant investment from owner Lai Guochuan not forthcoming, they can’t match the sums Villa and Fulham shelled out when they were recently promoted to the Premier League.

A fee of £6.3million for Vida is likely to appeal to the Baggies – especially as he can play in multiple positions. And the defender may be willing to take a drop in wages knowing his next move could be his last chance of playing in the Premier League.

Teaming up with head coach and countryman Slaven Bilic is also likely to appeal.