West Brom target Ipswich defender Aaron Cresswell
Albion are targeting Ipswich's Aaron Cresswell as their top left-back target as they look to rebuild their defence for the start of the Alan Irvine era.
The Baggies want Cresswell to move to The Hawthorns despite the 24-year-old signing a new three-and-a-half-year contract at Portman Road in December.
Irvine is without a recognised full-back in his squad just a week before the start of pre-season training with left-backs Liam Ridgewell and Goran Popov departing at the end of last season.
They also need to recruit new faces at right-back after Steven Reid was released and Billy Jones made a Bosman switch to Sunderland after rejecting the offer of a new deal with Albion.
Cresswell has been tracked by the Baggies for some time and they are now considering tempting the Tractor Boys with an offer.
But the Scouser is unlikely to come cheap as he is contracted to the Suffolk club until 2017 and boss Mick McCarthy is under no pressure to sell.
The 5ft 7in defender was first watched by the Baggies when he played for Tranmere, who he left in 2011 to move to Ipswich.
He has since made 138 appearances for his current club, scoring seven goals.
The Baggies have also made contact with Fulham over 2005 'Great Escape' hero Kieran Richardson, who the Cottagers would consider releasing on a free transfer as they look to slash the wage bill at Craven Cottage. But Cresswell currently appears to be the favoured option.
Albion were linked at the weekend with a move for Norwich left-back Martin Olsson, who they enquired about before his move from Blackburn to Carrow Road a year ago, but the Sweden international is not being targeted currently.
The Baggies have signed two new faces so far this summer with Craig Gardner and Joleon Lescott arriving as free agents.
They are targeting five more players before the start of the season with Monaco striker Emmanuel Riviere a major target.
