"...we expect Albion to be in touch with Hearts soon"
Roman Bednar's season-long loan from Hearts to West Brom is nearing its end and they are expected to exercise their option to sign the striker permanently. When agreeing the loan deal, Albion inserted a clause in the contract guaranteeing them first option on the player up until May 31. If they did not exercise that right, he would be available to the highest bidder. It is thought the newly promoted Premier League side will have to find £2.5million to sign Bednar, who scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Baggies last season. However, the Czech player is in talks with Albion as he tries to get an improved deal following the club's promotion.
Viktor Kolar, of the Prague-based management company SportInvest, which represents Bednar said: "The permanent transfer has not happened yet but we expect Albion to be in touch with Hearts soon. A price was agreed last summer between the clubs so now it is just a case of Albion formally taking up that option, which I am sure they will do before the date that was in the contract. There is a contract that was agreed last summer and is still in place, but we are hoping we can agree something new. Roman was told that if he did well there was a chance of an improved offer so, coming off the back of the season he has had, that is what we are hoping for. There is a new offer on the table from Albion that Roman is not entirely happy with but discussions are still taking place and hopefully something can be sorted out."
