'Step ahead': Samuel Iling-Junior quote shows how prepared West Brom have been throughout the transfer window

After seven signings throughout the window - Albion moved late to bring in Iling-Junior alongside experienced left back Charlie Taylor.

It was a fruitful window for Albion - that saw them sell players to aid the PSR issue while also adding real quality at a low cost.

For some, Albion are maybe a player light but for many they have praised the owners and sporting director Andrew Nestor for the work he has done in continuing to turn around the West Brom squad.

But there is one thing that shows just how ahead of the game Albion are trying to be at the moment.

We had seen glimpses of it earlier in the window - but it was a good as spelt out in a quote that Iling-Junior gave in his first interview with the West Brom club media.

He said: “The interest has been there since the start of the window. That’s something that you think about as a player, the fact that teams want you and they’re really keen on you."

The interest in the Villa winger only emerged publicly on Sunday - when it was exclusively revealed by the Express & Star.

So on the face of it, it seems a late move to replace Tom Fellows - who departed on Friday in a £10m move to Southampton.

However, the quote and from the evidence earlier in the window, shows that Albion have been prepared for all scenarios all the way through the window.

Whether they were always going to try for Iling-Junior or eye him up as a replacement for Fellows' anticipated move away from the club, that we don't know.

But it shows the level of preparation that goes into the club's recruitment.

Nestor has already revealed in earlier interviews that Albion have a list of potential replacements for different positions - should a player leave or be sold.

And we have really seen it in action this summer - impressively too.

It happened with Krystian Bielik coming in so soon after Torbjorn Heggem was sold.

It shows how Albion are in such safe hands - and it is a stark contrast to three summers ago when the transfer window slammed shut and one of the manager's neighbours was handed a deal.

On that one, he did do well for Albion. But, it show the difference and how things have changed for the good.