West Bromwich Albion

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Baggies agree Barnett transfer

Luton Town have revealed they have agreed to sell Leon Barnett to West Brom.

The Hatters have accepted West Brom's offer for the 21-year-old defender and the move is now subject to Barnett agreeing personal terms and passing a medical at The Hawthorns.

The deal could eventually be worth up to £3million pounds for Luton as they prepare for life in League One.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray is keen to add Barnett, who was also linked with a move to Reading, to his squad ahead of the new season as he looks to build a side capable of claiming promotion to the Premier League.

The Baggies suffered a 1-0 Championship play-off final defeat to Derby last season and Mowbray is looking to go one step further and reach the top flight in the next campaign.

Barnett joined Luton as a trainee in 2002 and has since made 60 first-team starts.

Source: Skysports

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Tony Mowbray also weighs up a swoop for Southampton’s John Viafara.

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Mowbray impressed by Tininho

West Brom could be set to offer trialist Tininho a permanent deal.

The Portuguese left-back, who plays for Beira Mar, arrived at the club earlier this week and is thought to be viewed as a potential replacement for Paul Robinson, who continues to be linked with a move away.

And West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has admitted he is looking into the possibility of signing the 26-year-old after taking a closer look.

"He's been here a couple of days, played some internal games and we've had a look at him," Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

"There are some discussions to be had. I need to speak to our staff before we make any major decisions about committing a player's future to our club."

Tininho played a part in two of the goals as West Brom beat Northampton 5-1 at the Sixfields Stadium on Wednesday night, and Mowbray admits that performance has boosted his chances of a deal.

"He didn't do himself any harm last night," he said.

Source: Skysports

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Tininho bags West Brom deal

West Brom have signed Portuguese left-back Tininho following a successful trial.

Tininho arrived at The Hawthorns on trial at the start of the week and helped Tony Mowbray's side to a 5-1 win against Northampton.

The 26-year-old did enough to be handed a two-year contract by The Baggies, with the option for a further season.

West Brom have paid Beira-Mar £230,000 for Tininho, who joins countryman and fellow summer signing Filipe Teixeira at the Championship club.

"Tininho's got a wonderful personality, a nice left foot and is a decent athlete," Mowbray told the club's official website.

"I've certainly got no worries about him with the ball.

"Just like Filipe, he'll need time to adjust to the different demands of the English game, but we believe there's enough raw material there for him to make a positive impact at the club."

Source: Skysports

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Tony Mowbray has returned with an improved offer for Carl Hoefkens which is thought to be in the region of £1million.

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Cesar set for Baggies move

Marseille defender Bostjan Cesar has agreed a deal to join West Bromwich Albion.

According to French sources, Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has won the race for the highly-rated Slovenian as he continues to strengthen for the new season.

It is reported that Cesar will initially come to The Hawthorns on loan, but West Brom have the option to buy him for a fee in the region of €1million (£700,000).

The 25-year-old centre-back made just seven appearances for Marseille last season and has been allowed to go out for a new challenge.

Mowbray has already brought in defenders Leon Barnett and Tininho this season, although Paul McShane has left for Sunderland.

Source: Skysports

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Cesar heads to Hawthorns

West Brom have picked up Marseille defender Bostjan Cesar on a season-long loan deal.

The Slovenia international has headed to The Hawthorns after struggling to make an impact at Marseille.

The centre-half could make his debut against Heerenveen at the weekend, if West Brom receive international clearance in time.

Cesar has moved with a view to a permanent transfer and Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is exicted by his latest summer signing.

"Bostjan is a left-sided centre-half and a real competitor," Mowbray told the club's official website.

Defensive instincts

"What I like about him is that he has natural defensive instincts and wants to win - he is a defender's defender and hopefully, our supporters will see all that manifested on the field.

"Bostjan is here to increase competition for places in defence and we are trying to achieve that all over the pitch by improving the squad.

"He visited our club a couple of weeks ago and I have watched him play a few times for Marseille, so we have done our background on him and now we are giving him an opportunity to make an impact on our team."

Source: Skysports

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Greening signs new deal

West Bromwich Albion have secured the future of Jonathan Greening on a new long-term contract.

Greening, who had been linked with a return to former club Middlesbrough, had 12 months remaining on his previous arrangement.

But the midfielder is now tied to The Hawthorns until 2010, with the option of a further year.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray was buoyed by Greening's decision to commit his future to the club ahead of the new season.

"I'm delighted Jonathan's committed his future to the club," Mowbray told the club's official website.

Happy to be a part

"At at time when things are changing around, it's great that a quality footballer has expressed a desire to remain here and hopefully help the club be successful."

The 28-year-old was equally happy to sign the deal and again praised the influence of Mowbray.

Greening said: "I'm delighted it's all been sorted. I'm really settled at the club and love playing for the gaffer.

"His methods in training and games really suit the way I like to play.

"He's now moulding his own squad and I'm happy to be a part of that."

Since joining West Brom from Middlesbrough three years ago, Greening has scored five goals in 130 appearances.

Source: Skysports

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Morrison in West Brom talks

Middlesbrough have given James Morrison permission to talk to West Bromwich Albion.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has agreed a fee with his former club for the promising winger.

Morrison, who was left out of the Boro side for Saturday's friendly with AZ Alkmaar, is now on his way to discuss a move to The Hawthorns.

The 21-year-old has made over 100 appearances during his Boro career, but is being allowed to leave by manager Gareth Southgate.

"He's down at West Brom having talks and they've agreed a fee with us," Southgate told the club's official website.

Difficult

"It's a difficult one because with young players you want them to come through

into the side - at the moment we are just waiting to see what he wants to do.

"It's whether there's a better guarantee of first-team football for him.

"We will know more over the next couple of days as to what he

wants to do."

West Brom's swoop for Morrison follows ex-Boro midfielder Jonathan Greening's decision to sign a new contract with the club on Friday.

Source: Skysports

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Bolton Wanderers forward Ricardo Vaz Te is a target for West Brom boss Tony Mowbray. Vaz Te is unlikely to get much first-team football at The Reebok this season, and Mowbray feels his pace and power would bolster his forward options.

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Baggies seal Morrison swoop

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Middlesbrough's James Morrison.

The 21-year-old midfielder has penned a four-year contract after the two clubs agreed a deal which could be worth more than £2million to the Teesside club.

Boro have also installed a 15 per cent sell-on clause, for a player who has played more than 50 first-team games after coming through the youth ranks at the club.

Mowbray delight

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray, himself a Boro legend, was delighted to have concluded the deal.

"James is a very talented young player and we're delighted he's agreed to join us," he told West Brom's official website.

"He's a creative midfield player and will bring versatility to our attacking options. the Uefa Cup final.

"Despite the fact he's only 21, he already has more than 60 Premiership appearances under his belt and was a regular in the Boro side which reached

"We're now giving him a platform to be a part of something we're trying to build here.

"We're delighted he sees this as the place to progress his career and hopefully help us be successful."

Source: Skysports

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Baggies bid for Brunt

Skysports.com understands West Brom have made a bid for Sheffield Wednesday ace Chris Brunt.

Wednesday face a fight to keep hold of Brunt after he turned down the club's offer of a new deal.

Brunt is entering the final year of his contract and West Brom are hoping to persuade Wednesday to do business for the Northern Ireland international.

The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the best young talents outside the top flight and his performances have caught the eye of Baggies boss Tony Mowbray.

Fulham tried to sign the left-sided midfielder earlier this summer, but Wednesday rejected the Premier League side's bid.

Mowbray is keen to bolster his squad after losing a number of top stars following their failure to win promotion last term and he is keen to bring Brunt to The Hawthorns.

Wednesday are reluctant to sell their prize asset, but West Brom are hopeful that their offer will be accepted by their Championship rivals.

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Baggies pick up Pele

West Brom have raided Championship rivals Southampton to sign Pele in a £1million deal.

The versatile performer has inked a two-year deal at The Hawthorns, with West Brom having the option for another year.

Pele joined Southampton from Belenenses last summer and he impressed during his time at St Mary's.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is a big admirer of Pele and believes he will be a valuable addition to his squad for the new season.

Delighted

"We're delighted to have signed a player who caught our eye at Southampton last season," Mowbray told the club's official website.

"Pele will bring experience and quality - both in and out of possession - to our squad.

"His athleticism and passing ability will also increase the competition for places in midfield."

Source: Skysports

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Preston have signed West Brom midfielder Darren Carter. North End have paid their Championship rivals £750,000 for the former Birmingham star - although the fee could rise by another £500,000.