West Brom's transfer deadline day 'hope' as likelihood of exits confirmed
Albion's Eric Ramsay has confirmed the hope of transfer deadline day business as his side slipped further into the clutches of a relegation scrap.
The out-of-sorts Baggies were hammered 3-0 in a relegation six-pointer by hosts Portsmouth who declared shortly after half-time and leapfrogged Ramsay's side.
It was an 11th away league defeat from 12 to see out January and clubs have until 7pm on Monday to add to squads before the winter transfer deadline.
Albion, down in 21st and one place above the drop zone, are working on at least one deal to bring Villa attacking youngster Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, 19, back from Villa Park on loan.
Ramsay said of the deadline: "Yes, (we're) hopeful, but are aware of the constraints that we're operating under.
"Again, I was aware of those coming in, so it's not something that I'm going to complain about, but I feel like there's good work going on behind the scenes.
"There's people that are on top of that situation, of course, and hopefully we get a positive outcome.
"But I would say my focus has and always will be on the players that we've got here and making sure that we get a better version of them."
Albion sporting director and club president Andrew Nestor and director of football operations Ian Pearce would have been taking the lead on transfers throughout the day - but that now looks unlikely to be the case following Sunday's developments.
Jimoh-Aloba was poached by Villa from The Hawthorns academy for a reported £1million aged 16 three years ago and last Thursday scored his first senior goal - a Europa League winner for Villa.
Meanwhile, Ramsay confirmed to the Express & Star that it is unlikely there will be senior exits from the Baggies before the 7pm deadline.
Albion have operated with a small squad all season and, with Karlan Grant and defensive duo Krystian Bielik and George Campbell recent injury victims, options are light. Ramsay explained how the recruitment "picture changed" due to wide forward Grant's potentially season-ending injury.
There are likely to be loan opportunities for academy talents Harry Whitwell, 20, and Ollie Bostock, 18, who both have Football League interest.
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