Albion are not alone in finding the Premier League transfer market "complicated".

Opening opponents Manchester City, with all their multi-millions, face defensive problems ahead of their visit to the Amex on August 12.

Pep Guardiola revealed that Aleks Kolarov (below) is off to Roma following City's 2-0 friendly defeat by Manchester United in Houston overnight.

The Argus: The City chief is now reportedly in the hunt for central defensive cover, as well as two more full-backs.

Guardiola said; "I don't like to work with people who don't want to stay.

"Kola helped me last season a lot with many, many things. He has a big chance to go back to Rome.

"He spoke to me and said he wanted to leave. I don't like to be with players who don't want to stay.

"I wish him all the best. He is really nice guy - we had an excellent relationship."

Guardiola was forced to play Fernandinho and Eliaquim Mangala at left-back in the defeat by United, due to his lack of options in that position.

"Of course we would like to have the players as soon as possible," he said. "We know the transfer market and how complicated it is and we are going to find the best solution.

"We need defenders. We need two or three defenders."

Real Madrid right-back Danilo is on the verge of a £26.5 million move, while talks are ongoing for Monaco's Benjamin Mendy.

Kolarov's departure will force Guardiola to change his centre-half plans. He was contemplating not making a signing after City refused to pay £60 million for Southampton's former Albion target Virgil van Dijk.