Slowly but surely, Albion are methodically revamping their squad, and it already looks vastly different to the one that owners Bilkul inherited when they took over the club 18 months ago.
That team performed beyond expectations and reached the 2023-24 play-offs under Carlos Corberan. It was also an ageing side, as they ended the campaign with 11 players aged 30 or over and a bloated wage bill.
With the dual necessity of reducing those wages and a desire to target young potential, the Baggies now have only a trio of players in their 30s – club captain Jed Wallace, midfielder Alex Mowatt and back-up striker Devante Cole, who incidentally are all out of contract at the end of this season.