Baggies rule out player sales

The Baggies are still looking for a successor for Pepe Mel, who left the club at the end of the season just four months after taking over from Steve Clarke.

But having rejected Derby's offer to sign George Thorne - who signed an improved three-and-a-half-year deal in January - after the 21-year-old spent a successful loan spell with the Rams, the club felt it necessary to publicly state their position.

"George has progressed through the academy into the first-team squad and we have high hopes for him," said technical director Terry Burton in a statement.

"He underlined his potential while on loan at Derby and we have no intentions of selling him.

"We have told Derby he is not for sale and that is the end of the matter as far as we're concerned.

"The same goes for all of our players. We are not looking to sell anyone.

"Our only aim is to strengthen our squad this summer - not weaken it."