More of our family food shopping is done now at German-based Aldi rather than traditionally British Tesco.

Why? Better value-for-money.

Prices are cheaper. The quality is just as good and, in many cases, superior.

The same principles can be applied to Albion's summer shopping so far.

Three of the four signings are foreigners - Tomer Hemed, Niki Mäenpaa and Gaetan Bong.

Albion have paid less for Hemed than they did last summer for Sam Baldock.

Hemed has international and top flight experience in Spain. Baldock was bought out of League One.

Mäenpaa is a current international with Finland who will be challenging David Stockdale.

The Seagulls paid a seven-figure sum for Stockdale a year ago.

Bong, who has World Cup and broad European experience on his CV, has solved the hunt for a permanent left-back without paying an inflated fee or meeting unrealistic wage demands.

There is value to be had signing English players released by their clubs.

Albion have managed that as well with the shrewd capture of Liam Rosenior.

It is much more difficult to get value-for-money buying British players under contract.

The long-term aim for Albion is to produce their own players through the academy.

For now shopping abroad continues to make economic and common sense.