West Brom ready to spend big on Troy Deeney

Deeney, who turns 29 next month, could even become the highest-paid player at The Hawthorns should the Baggies be successful in persuading Watford to part with their talisman.

Boss Tony Pulis is a huge fan of the Birmingham-born striker and eager to bolster his forward line having spent the season with Salomon Rondon and Hal Robson-Kanu as his only options up front.

Deeney is skipper of the Hornets and adored by supporters at Vicarage Road, where he has spent seven seasons since leaving Walsall in a deal worth £500,000.

But he endured an indifferent second half to the season under Walter Mazzarri and though the Italian was axed at the end of the campaign, there are suggestions Deeney may now be willing to move on.

Albion have no intention in paying the £35million asking price reportedly set to be demanded by Watford, while the £25million figure which would activate Deeney’s release clause is also considered a little steep.

But they would be prepared to test the water with a bid of around the £20million – a figure well in excess of the current club record £13million fee used to prise Nacer Chadli from Tottenham last August.

The Baggies would also be ready to offer Deeney a salary in excess of the £75,000-a-week earned by Jonny Evans, their current highest-paid player.

Walsall would meanwhile net a cash windfall thanks to the 20 per cent sell-on clause inserted in the deal which saw the frontman depart the Banks’s.

Deeney still has four years left to run on his contract and Watford will look to hold out for the highest possible price, with the Baggies acknowledging patience will be required in their pursuit.

Pulis has funds to strengthen during a transfer window in which Albion will almost certainly spend more than ever before.

The head coach has received a boost in his bid to bring John Terry to The Hawthorns after it emerged Bournemouth had cooled their interest in the former England skipper.

Albion have meanwhile confirmed they will head to both Bristol Rovers and Slough Town in pre-season. Both games are scheduled for Saturday, July 29.