West Brom close in on deal for David Button
Albion are closing in on a deal for Brighton goalkeeper David Button – but appear set to miss out on defender Shane Duffy.
The Baggies held talks with the Seagulls over both players, but Duffy was last night close to joining Celtic on a season-long loan.
Discussions over Button have progressed further and a deal should be completed in the coming days.
The 31-year-old will provide competition for Sam Johnstone and bring Premier League experience to the club’s goalkeeping department.
Button, who joined Brighton from Fulham in a £4million deal two years ago, made four top-flight appearances for the Seagulls but largely had to make do with a place on the bench last season as back-up to Mat Ryan.
Albion also weighed up a move for centre-back Duffy but the 28-year-old, a boyhood Celtic supporter, is thought to have preferred a move north of the border.
The Baggies have several other defensive targets under consideration, including Wigan defender Cedric Kipre.
One player who definitely will be signing a deal at The Hawthorns is young striker Callum Morton, who has agreed a new four-year contract.
The 20-year-old played a starring role in Northampton’s promotion while on loan at the League Two club during the second half of last season.
Morton is expected to join League One Lincoln on loan for the coming campaign. The Imps also have an interest in Albion reserve keeper Alex Palmer.
Albion have, meanwhile, confirmed they will complete their pre-season preparations with a friendly at Brighton on Saturday.
The match at the Amex Stadium will be the third and final warm-up match played by the Baggies in what has been a significantly shorter than normal pre-season.
Brighton became the first Premier League clubs to welcome back supporters when a crowd of around 2,500 was allowed in to watch their friendly with Chelsea last weekend.
The match with the Baggies will take place behind closed doors, but will be streamed live online free of charge.
Bilic will be without Hal Robson-Kanu, Kamil Grosicki, Oliver Burke and Dara O’Shea, all of whom are currently away on international duty.
The Baggies, who lost 1-0 in a friendly with Nottingham Forest last weekend, yesterday played a behind closed doors match against an unnamed opponent.
