STEVE Cook is moving closer to a permanent switch to League One Bournemouth.

Sources in Dorset are adamant a fee in the region of £150,000 has been agreed between the clubs for the Albion defender.

Bournemouth are said to be eager to complete a deal quickly, with Cook’s influential loan spell due to expire after Monday’s home game against Preston North End.

Albion chief Gus Poyet has made no secret of his appreciation of the progress Cook has made. The 20-year-old’s pre-season form convinced the manager not to sign another defender in the summer.

Poyet and the Seagulls are, nevertheless, keen also to balance their interests with those of a player who remains down the defensive pecking order.

A move to Bournemouth will give Cook not only regular first team football but the financial security of a lucrative three-and-a-half-year contract with a club suddenly awash with money coursety of a Russian backer.

Meanwhile, Albion have made no decision yet on 6ft 4ins trialist Habib Habibou. The African striker spent Christmas in Paris after his trial was extended last week.