West Brom's Carlos Corberan linked with vacant Valencia post

Reports in the Spaniard's birth region of Valencia have labelled Albion's 41-year-old head coach as "favourite" to move to Mestalla.

It is claimed the second-bottom La Liga side are advancing in negotiations with Albion over a move for Corberan, who has been in post for more than two years.

It is understood, however, that the Baggies are unaware of an official approach and view the latest links as more speculation involving their head coach.

Corberan has a release clause of more than £3million at The Hawthorns and any move to prise him away from the Black Country would involve a club paying up. Albion have no interest in losing their head coach and owners Bilkul Football are huge supporters of the head coach's work.

Though Corberan's reputation in the game both in this country and in his homeland have meant links have never been far away.

Only recently Premier League basement boys Southampton were credited in interest in the former Huddersfield boss, just weeks after fellow top-flight outfits Wolves and Leicester. All three clubs have since appointed elsewhere, with a suggestion at least a couple were not interested in paying compensation for a new boss.

Spanish outlet Deportes COPE Valencia claim 'Los Ches' have identified Corberan as their top target to replace Ruben Baraja, the former midfield icon who was sacked on Monday with the club second-bottom of La Liga.

Corberan was born in Cheste, a Valencian town, and has family living in the region. He was on the club's books as a goalkeeper before hanging up his gloves in his early 20s to focus on coaching.

The Baggies head coach recently referenced Valencia as an example of sizable clubs can fall on hard times. Valencia, owned by Singapore business magnate Peter Lim, have won just twice in 17 games this season and are off the bottom only on goal difference.