Villarreal in talks to buy Borja Valero

Albion are locked in talks with Spanish club Villarreal over the possible sale of club-record signing Borja Valero.

But claims of a deal for the midfielder being all-but-agreed are premature.

The future of the 25-year-old one-time Real Madrid player was just one element of the club's Anglo-Spanish negotiations, with Albion's hunt for another goalkeeper throwing up the name of Real Mallorca's Israel international Dudu Awat.

Albion's contacts with Mallorca, which began with their purchase of Valero two years ago, strengthen that speculation with Awat's agent is in talks with the Spanish club at the moment to secure his client's release.

In the meantime, Valero is back pre-season training with the Baggies, having resurrected his career with a highly-acclaimed campaign alongside Awat on loan at Mallorca last season.

That followed his disappointing debut campign in England which saw him struggle to justify the club record transfer outlay of £4.7million, as Albion were relegated from the Premier League under former boss Tony Mowbray.

Valero has a hankering to return to Spain and, although Sevilla failed with a below asking price offer last month, Villarreal are closing in. Spanish media are reporting a deal being discussed in the region of £4.2million.

Back in England, Valero could be among the squad Albion take to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday for their opening pre-season fixture (12:30pm)

The non-league club have been advised that all of the Baggies' senior players will be on duty which means supporters will get the chance to get a first look at another Spanish recruit, defender Pablo Ibanez.