Pulis worried as Baggies lag in transfer market

West Bromwich Albion are playing catch-up heading into the new season according to boss Tony Pulis, with the uncertainty about ownership leaving them on the back foot in the transfer market.

This week the Baggies were taken over by a group headed up by Guochuan Lai, with previous chairman Jeremy Peace finally selling the club after a long search for a new owner.

All that uncertainty has left West Brom trailing behind in the recruitment stakes, with Matt Phillips the only new face so far this summer.

Diafra Sakho was meant to join him, only for his move from West Ham to break down, while the future of Saido Berahino remains up in the air.

Having released both Victor Anichebe and Stéphane Sessegnon, West Brom’s squad looks a little light – particularly up front, and Pulis admits there is still plenty of work to be done before the transfer window slams shut.

(Jeremy Peace. Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

He explained: “The last 22 months at the club has been difficult because of the situation. It’s not been hidden that Jeremy wanted to sell the club. If there’s a disappointment then it’s been that it has come so late.

“We’ve only got two weeks to try and get players in which we desperately need. Irrespective of me, I’m more concerned with getting them in quickly.

“We’ve done hardly any business at all. I think personally we need five players in and that will be a tough task.”