Richard Garlick: Age concern led to Joleon Lescott's exit to Aston Villa
A desire to reduce the average age of the defence motivated Albion's decision to sell Joleon Lescott to Aston Villa.
Richard Garlick, the Baggies' director of football administration, admits there were concerns at having a backline which featured three players over the age of 32 in Lescott, Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley.
Lescott, 33, who signed for the club on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2014, was subsequently sold to rivals Villa on deadline day for a fee thought to be in the region of £2million.
It was a decision questioned by supporters, who voted the defender their player of the season back in May.
But Garlick insists that, with boss Tony Pulis having added younger defenders in the shape of James Chester and Jonny Evans earlier in the window, it was a deal which made sense to all parties.
"I hear what you say about him being player of the year and yes, he was great for us for that year," said Garlick, addressing the Albion Assembly supporters group.
"I think Tony wanted to try and bring in younger players, like James Chester and Jonny Evans."
