Steven Reid prepared to leave West Brom

The 32-year-old full-back is in talks about a new contract after failing to register a sufficient number of appearances last season to trigger a further year's option on his current deal.

Now Reid has returned from holiday and set the gossip running with a message on Twitter which began with the former Republic of Ireland international declaring: "Interesting week ahead!"

Reid went on to post: "Whatever happens in next few weeks, I have had an unbelievable time at West Brom in the last three years.

"Fans, players and staff have all been a pleasure to work with and a special mention to the fans for all the support."

Before the end of the season, Reid admitted he was under threat of missing his contract option but remained hopeful of staying at the Hawthorns – where he has become a popular figure in the dressing room.

Reid's current deal officially runs out at the end of the month, although West Brom insist the club is still in talks about a new one.

But the player's troubled injury record and the sense of changing times this summer point to a parting of the ways.

His future is just one of the issues head coach Steve Clarke and the club's recruitment staff are grappling with as they face a summer of overhaul.

But they have moved quickly to distance themselves from reports linking the club to an interest in Reading winger Hal Robson-Kanu.

He has put out a general alert to any interested parties by declaring that he wants to play Premier League football.

Both West Brom and Aston Villa were named as clubs who were interested in signing the 24-year-old wide man, but the Baggies have firmly distanced themselves from the speculation.

Meanwhile, as expected, Jose Mourinho has dashed West Brom's hopes by insisted he is ready to unleash Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea.

The returning Blues boss underlined his desire to keep the Belgian after being unveiled at Stamford Bridge, six years after leaving.

On-loan Lukaku hit 17 goals for the Baggies last season and Steve Clarke – Mourinho's former assistant – wanted to bring him back next term.

But Mourinho is prepared to give Lukaku, a £17million signing from Anderlecht, a chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho said: "He is ready to come and be part of our squad. First of all I want to meet them.

"I think it's fair the players are the first ones to know about their futures by their manager and the club and not by the media.

"I am not just speaking to Kevin De Bruyne or Romelu, I am speaking generally. I had the chance to speak with some, others I didn't.

"I need to speak to them all to make the best decisions for me, the players and Chelsea."

Mourinho, who first left Chelsea in 2007, has signed a four-year deal and is eager to face his former protegees.

He worked with Baggies boss Clarke for three years and also worked with Liverpool chief Brendan Rodgers and Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge.

With the Premier League fixtures announced next week, Mourinho said: "The three boys are not boys any more, Brendan, Steve and Andre.

"But I don't play against them, Chelsea play against Liverpool, West Brom and Tottenham. I am more than happy to be in the same league and wish them all the best."