West Brom have opened contract talks with midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu as boss Steve Clarke attempts to tie down a trio of stars before the summer.
Mulumbu has become the latest Baggies lynchpin to open negotiations over a new deal, just days after he was sent off in embarrassing fashion at West Ham.
And head coach Clarke wants the midfield star to have his Albion future secured before the end of the season – along with defender Gareth McAuley and striker Shane Long.
Clarke said: "We have started well already in managing to secure Jonas Olsson and James Morrison earlier this season.
"We are in discussions with two or three other people at the moment and, hopefully, they will be tied up long before I go on my summer holidays.
A new deal for Mulumbu would be his fourth since he joined the Baggies – initially on loan from Paris Saint Germain – in January 2009.
Sporting director Richard Garlick flew to Ireland last week for discussions with Long's representatives, while he has held talks with McAuley's agent in recent weeks.
Clarke is also eyeing new faces in the summer and is warning the Baggies they must not 'stand still' after another impressive season.
"But it might be, as the summer goes on, if we can't find somebody who is going to cost us nothing, that we have to go and find someone who costs us money.
"The club use the free transfer and loan markets well but the higher up the league you go, the more difficult it becomes to get players who can improve your squad from that market.
"If you stand still in the Premier League other teams come charging past you, so it's important that we look to improve the squad.
West Brom have opened contract talks with midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu as boss Steve Clarke attempts to tie down a trio of stars before the summer.
Not a classic week - West Brom's defending was more jellied eels than pearly kings down in the East End last Saturday, writes blogger Warren Stephens.
West Brom legend Cyrille Regis today blasted Peter Odemwingie as "unprofessional" as the rebel striker geared up for a fiery return to the Hawthorns.
Link: [Live Football] Blau-Weiss Linz - SV Grödig - Austrian Erste Liga
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