Marc Wilson

Albion were today finalising their latest transfer deals as Portsmouth utility man Marc Wilson emerged as a possible target.

Villa full-back Nicky Shorey was expected to complete his move to the Hawthorns for £1million today, after passing a medical at the weekend.

And Cameroon international Somen Tchoyi is expected in England tomorrow or on Wednesday to wrap up his £1.5million switch from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

Now Wilson has emerged as a potential target as transfer activity hots up in the final week before the Premier League season kicks off.

But a deal for the Irishman is currently a long way off, with the clubs poles apart in their valuations of the player.

The 22-year-old was watched by the Baggies last season and is seen as a potential candidate to add competition for defensive midfield roles in Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

Wilson can also operate at full-back or in central defence, but his best Pompey performances have come in his favoured holding midfield role.

With Di Matteo looking likely to field two defensive midfield men this season, he is seeking competition for Youssouf Mulumbu and Steven Reid.

Chris Brunt has also operated in a deep-lying central role alongside Mulumbu for much of the pre-season campaign and Di Matteo could repeat the experiment in the Premier League.

The Italian is also delighted to be adding former England left-back Shorey to his squad.

He said: “Nicky will increase competition for place. He’s composed on the ball and a good defender.

“It will also be nice to add some Premier League experience to the squad, because we are a young team.

“Nicky knows what it takes to play at the highest level. He has completed a medical and we are hopeful he will become one of our players.

“Other names being linked with us are just speculation at the moment, so there’s nothing to say.”