Transfer 'targets' of late:

- David James. Would Albion really sign a goalkeeper who is pretty much as old as Dean Kiely and, crucially, didn't get on with the current Baggies goalkeeping coach when they were at Portsmouth? Albion are looking for a No2 who can maybe challenge Carson. Not for someone who earns more than any other first-team Albion player at his current club.

- Jimmy Bullard. An injury-prone 31-year-old, who earns in region of £45k and has four years left on current deal with Hull. Albion talked about investing their money 'wisely' - in the very unlikely event that the Baggies would want him in the first place.

- Tuncay. Again, a player earning way nearer to £40k. When another club asked about him some time ago they were told he wanted £60k a week before he'd consider a move. Again, out of Albion's reach.

Why don't the people who source these rumours run them past the club first? Perhaps it's because they know they're not true....

Albion's highest-ever earner in the Premier League remains Luke Moore (Kanu was on less than £20k but had various incentive related add-ons). Albion will be looking to stretch that but not by a huge amount. Certainly not double it. Some of the names being bandied around will merely raise false hope.

Who next - Messi?

The true transfer targets won't emerge for a while yet. And even then they will most likely be names of a lower profile and of a more realistic wage bracket.