West Brom continue to hunt Matheus Pereira

The Baggies want to bring in three or four more signings before next Thursday’s transfer deadline and Pereira is still a prime target, despite protracted negotiations to this point.

Sporting’s desire to insert an obligation to buy has complicated matters but Albion remain hopeful of making a breakthrough and bringing the 23-year-old to The Hawthorns.

Adding depth in attacking areas is now the prime focus of the club’s recruitment strategy over the closing week of the window, though it remains a possibility that the Baggies could add one more defender.

The club are concentrating on incomings alone and will rebuff any approaches for their own players, most particularly winger Matt Phillips. Reports yesterday claiming rivals Villa had made an approach for the 28-year-old are understood to be wide of the mark, yet the Baggies are determined to hold on to the wideman in any case, having already raised significant funds from sales this summer.

The departures of Salomon Rondon, Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson boosted the club’s coffers by more than £30million and have helped fund a significant squad rebuild.

Though Phillips has only one year remaining on his contract, he is viewed as an important member of the squad moving forward and it is thought only a head-turning offer would make Albion consider otherwise.

Instead it is likely the club will re-open talks over a new deal with the former QPR man once the window closes.

Phillips has scored 11 goals in 87 appearances since joining in a £4million deal from the R’s three years ago.

Initial discussions over extending his contract were first held in January.

He had been tracked by Cardiff City following Albion’s relegation from the Premier League in May last year but ultimately ended up staying at The Hawthorns.

Albion also expect to retain the services of defender Ahmed Hegazi.

The Egyptian international, who was also linked with Villa earlier in the summer, is out of action until September in any case having undergone surgery on a long-term ankle injury.

Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli KSA approached the Baggies with an offer for the 28-year-old earlier in the window but that was quickly dismissed.