Four free agents who could help West Brom make immediate return

And whether it's Sam Allardyce in charge next season or somebody else, there is a rebuilding job to do at The Hawthorns.

With parachute payments and the potential sale of some big-name players, the Baggies are expected to have a very competitive budget if they are playing in English football's second tier next year.

But there is no doubt football is still dealing with the financial implications of Covid-19.

Also, everyone loves a freebie.

With that in mind, the Express & Star has looked at four players who could become free agents this summer but would boost Albion's hopes of once again winning promotion to the Premier League.

Alex Mowatt

Central midfield is going to be a key area for Albion this summer with Okay Yokuslu, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Conor Gallagher all currently on loan and unlikely to return.

And Mowatt could provide a very shrewd addition with the 26-year-old having just been named in the Championship team of the season.

A very well-rounded midfielder, Mowatt is a huge fan favourite at his current club Barnsley because of his committed, never-say-die, attitude.

But he is also a fine passer of the ball, dangerous when shooting from distance and also excellent at delivering set-pieces.

So far this season, the former Leeds man has scored eight goals and registered seven assists.

Barnsley are desperate to keep him and have offered the midfielder what they have described as a 'great' contract.

Mowatt, though, knows his next contract is a big one and has decided to see what options come up this summer.

He'll have plenty of interest but if Albion can get him, he is likely to prove an excellent addition.

Adam Smith

Albion have two excellent full-backs in the shape of Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend.

But there is very little behind him, especially with Kieran Gibbs having already agreed a move to Inter Miami.

In Adam Smith, though, they have the potential to bring in a player who will provide cover and competition at both left-back and right-back.

The defender has played almost 300 games – across two spells – for Bournemouth.

This year, he has featured 37 times and registered five assets.

And having just turned 30, he is likely to still have some of his best years ahead of him.

Emiliano Marcondes

A talented attacking midfielder, Marcondes is out of contract at Brentford at the end of the campaign and would give Albion an option in the number 10 role if Matheus Pereira leaves the club.

The Dane has been a key player for the Bees over the past year, helping them to the play-off final in the second half of last season, while again featuring regularly for Thomas Frank’s side this term.

But he recently told the press in his homeland that talks over a new contract with the London side are 'yet to succeed,' with, ‘everything open and lots of opportunities,’ out there for him.

Norwich have previously been linked with a move for the 26-year-old who is strong and has a real eye for a pass.

Without doubt a talented individual, Marcondes still quite hasn't lived up to his potential. But maybe Albion will feel they can push him to reach the next level.

Britt Assombalonga

This one would be a gamble.

But anyone who has seen Assombalonga play will know he can be a real handful in the Championship.

The striker became Middlesbrough's record signing when he joined them for £15million from Nottingham Forest in 2017.

The forward was Boro's top scorer in his first two campaigns on Teesside.

But he has struggled to consistently hit top form since with the striker having managed 11 goals last season while he has scored five this year.

Having made it clear he will leave in the summer, Assombalonga hasn't played since mid-April with manager Neil Warnock deciding not to pick him if he isn't sticking around.

But at 28-years-old, a move may help Assombalonga reignite his career.

Albion are also going to need an out-and-out centre-forward with loanee Mbaye Diagne likely to return to Galatasaray.