ALBION remain on course to make Alireza Jahanbakhsh their record signing as they move towards completing the squad for their second season in the Premier League.

Work is progressing to complete the capture of the Iranian World Cup winger from AZ Alkmaar.

Jahanbakhsh, accompanied by his agent Amir Hashemi, flew into Biggin Hill Airport in Kent from Paris late yesterday afternoon as the process to secure his signature continues.

The fee will eclipse the £14 million Albion paid Alkmaar's Dutch rivals PSV Eindhoven for striker Jurgen Locadia in January, although The Argus understands reports of a £20 million figure are wide of the mark.

Landing Jahanbakhsh would give manager Chris Hughton a strong hand in wide areas. The free-scoring 24-year-old, who helped Alkmaar to third place in Eredivisie and Europa League qualification with 21 goals last season, would be competing with Jose Izquierdo, Anthony Knockaert and Solly March.

Colombian Izquierdo, now back with Albion after extra time off recovering from the World Cup, watched yesterday morning's 1-1 friendly draw against Portsmouth at the Lancing training complex.

Mathew Ryan, Australia's goalkeeper in Russia, returned to action in the Portsmouth game, while Nigerian World Cup central defender Leon Balogun featured for the first time in Albion colours in last night's 1-1 draw at Charlton as Hughton again split his squad for the two run-outs.

Hughton still wants another central defender to accompany Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Balogun.

Reading's Liam Moore and Sheffield United's Jack O'Connell are the likeliest candidates.

Signing one of them would also help Albion meet the homegrown requirements.

They need eight players fitting the homegrown category in the Premier League squad of 25 and currently have seven, excluding probable leavers Oliver Norwood and Sam Baldock.