Bilic tellsAlbion now is time for signing action
Sis
it
close?
ILAVEN Bilic has urged Albion to get a move on in the transfer market as the new boss eyes additions to his squad.
Only one signing has been made since Bilic was appointed head coach a month ago, with Filip Krovinovic arriving on a seasonlong loan from Benfica.
But time is running out to bed in new recruits ahead of the start of the new Championship season, which kicks off on August 3.
The Baggies have already lost key players from last term, with Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson having been sold and Dwight Gayle returning to Newcastle United.
Gaps need filling and Bilic admits it is ‘about time’ some deals are completed. He said: “As every West Brom fan knows, we need to get some players because we lost a lot of them last season and we need to replace them.
“At the moment,
hope it’s close. It’s not on me. I’m inside, of course, but it’s not me who is dealing and finishing the transfers. I hope we make some, because it’s about time.
“It’s only three weeks until the season starts. Like any other manager, I would like to have had the players for the first day of preseason but let’s say it will be crucial for them to come next week.”
Albion have already suffered frustration in the transfer window with striker Charlie Austin rejecting a move to The Hawthorns from Southampton.
The 30-year-old is a target for a number of clubs after falling down the pecking order at St Mary’s under boss Ralph Hasenhutll.
Sources claim a deal had been agreed between Albion and the Saints but the player would rather stay and fight for his place and now plans to see out the rest of his contract, with a year left to run on the deal.
Meanwhile, the Albion fans who travelled to Benidorm to watch Bilic’s first match in earned praise from dressing room.
Jake Livermore paid tribute to the 800 or so supporters who witnessed the 3-0 friendly defeat to Villarreal on Saturday. The players wore Laurie Cunningham memorial T-shirts before the game and handed them out to fans at fulltime.
Livermore, who skippered Albion during the practice match, said: “We knew there were plenty of fans coming over but the numbers were amazing.
“It was great to see that show of support and I want to thank every one of them on behalf of the lads.
“I know they didn’t get the result they would have wanted but I think they know this was mainly about getting some game time under our belts –and you could not doubt the quality of the opposition.
“It’s been a tough week but we will feel the benefit of it. The lads will get a couple of days’ rest now before we crack on.” charge have the Baggies’