The Amex faithful will get their first look at Tomer Hemed, Albion's biggest signing of the summer so far, against Sevilla today.

The Israeli striker was signed from Spanish club Almeria for an undisclosed sum, believed to be around £1 million.

A seven-figure fee is a considerable investment but the purchase of Hemed, purely in transfer price terms, is well down the list of big money deals concluded by Championship clubs more desperate than ever to reach the promised land.

As Albion manager Chris Hughton observed: "Everybody is looking at this season as a big season to get to the Premier League. Some clubs in particular are spending very big.

"I think that is a consequence of what will happen at the end of the season as regards the television money."

Hughton was referring to the astonishing £5.136 billion deal with Sky and BT Sport for live UK Premier League broadcast rights for three seasons from 2016-17.

The reward for failure in finishing bottom is set to soar to an estimated £92 million. These figures exclude overseas rights, which are still being negotiated.

There has never been a more lucrative time to get promoted and topping the list of big spenders are Middlesbrough, the club that missed out last season by losing the play-off final against Norwich.

They have taken Stewart Downing back to the Riverside from West Ham for £5.5 million.

Downing is not the most glamorous of signings. He has been derided on occasions throughout his career but the former Liverpool and England winger, used more centrally by West Ham, is an eyecatching capture in the context of the Championship.

He set up more chances in the Premier League last season than any other English player. Boro will be looking to have sealed a top two spot by the time they host Albion on the final day for the second year running.

Another winger, the talented Tom Ince, has been signed permanently by Derby County - the other club heading the Championship betting - from Hull for £4.75 million.

Ince scored 11 times in 18 appearances on loan to the Rams last season, when they inexplicably faded out of the promotion picture under Steve McClaren.

The son of ex-England captain Paul Ince is key to the plans of Derby's new manager Paul Clement.

Sevilla, who include Ukraine wide man Yehven Konoplyanka and French midfielder Steven Nzonzi from Stoke among their summer acquisitions, will not be the only club parading significant purchases of overseas players at the Amex this season.

And Albion are not the only Championship club who have taken a foreign route to strengthen their attack, such is the high premium on domestic options with equivalent or less ability.

Middlesbrough, when they arrive on the South Coast just before Christmas, will be spearheaded by Christian Stuani.

The Uruguayan striker has been bought by Boro from Spanish club Espanyol for £2.8 million.

Belgian Jelle Vossen, who was on loan to Boro from Genk last season, has joined relegated Burnley for £2.5 million.

Promoted Bristol City have paid £2.1 million for another forward, Jonathan Kodjia from French outfit Angers.

Albion looked at the unproven 25-year-old but the fee City have paid smacks a little of desperation in a difficult summer for ex-Seagull Steve Cotterill at Ashton Gate.

Others have paid significant sums to strengthen in other areas.

Versatile Danish international Andreas Bjelland, who can play at the back or as a defensive midfielder, has been snapped up by ambitious Brentford from Dutch club FC Twente for £2.1 million.

Wolves, who narrowly missed out on accompanying Brentford in the play-offs last season, have splashed out £2 million on defensive midfield prospect Conor Coady from Huddersfield.

Albion midfielder Dale Stephens will come up against Coady at Molineux in mid-September, by which time the Championship table will have begun to take shape in the chase for those Premier League riches.

Stephens said: "Anybody could go up. I don't think there is an outstanding favourite. Ourselves included, everyone wants to get promoted. They know the rewards for it. That can only be an added bonus for the competition."