Lewis Cox: No surprises in West Brom exits - calls had to be made

Of Albion's senior cohort just three, Grady Diangana, Semi Ajayi and John Swift, saw their terms at The Hawthorns come to an end.

Three experienced players, three reasonably long-serving players with varying success. But three where changes had to be made.

Even without former boss Tony Mowbray letting slip on Diangana and Swift's impending exit last month - and James Morrison doing likewise with Ajayi - it was clear to see what was coming. The owners should have had their minds made months in advance, if not a year, despite Mowbray's penchant for Diangana's soft feet or an idea among fans Ajayi would once more be useful as a third or fourth-choice centre-back.

These are calls that Bilkul have to make as they continue Albion's rebuild.

They are not especially emotional ones. But they are business-driven. Swift, Diangana and Ajayi are mostly large earners in the squad and for its evolvement to continue, with success coming via younger, more improvable and sellable assets, then the trio had to move on.

Ajayi is 31 and Swift is turning 30. The latter has come close to leaving before. Diangana, at 27, is in his peak years and will have lots of interest. He has made more than 200 appearances for the club and scored 26 goals. He will be remembered fondly by most supporters but also remembered as unable to replicate his initial loan form or find real consistency.

There were cheers when an 'ambitious' Albion forked out £18million for his permanent services upon promotion. As he leaves a free transfer, that piece of business is exactly what the club now look to avoid.

Defender Ajayi is more the model, somewhat ironically. He arrived at The Hawthorns in his mid-20s for a modest sum of just over £1m and gave six years of service. He was relatively reliable - certainly when fitness was not an issue - and was low maintenance. Albion got value from the Nigerian.

He was previously with Rotherham. On the way up. With the bit between his teeth to impress. His is the mould the Baggies can replicate.

Swift is not. He was an eye-catching name to bring to the club with Jed Wallace and Okay Yokuslu on free transfers in 2022 with financial Armageddon nearing under Guochuan Lai. Only Wallace, at 31 with one year left, remains and some supporters have long made their minds on the club captain's future.

Former Reading man Swift's Albion career ended in real discontent with some fans having let their feeling known. He was omitted from the final few games.

High-calibre free agents come with lofty salaries. These days have to be a thing of the past and under Bilkul they surely will be.

The exits of Diangana, Ajayi and Swift - more than 500 Albion appearances between them - will not help decision-makers complete a total rebuild but it is the key next stage.

These are times when the club can search for two, potentially three players to earn what Swift pocketed. Younger players driven to achieve at The Hawthorns.

Two of the trio will be remembered fondly, certainly in time as dust settles, as promotion-winners. There are also fans who - understandably - welcome the refresh. Players who have been around for some time, some involving disappointing, can become stale.

The owners have got these calls right, in a summer where more big decisions - not least the next head coach - must follow.