Albion are weighing up whether to fast-track Alexis Mac Allister into their Premier League squad next season.

Or if his development will be better suited by more time abroad.

Signing Mac Allister was Albion’s major piece of business in the January transfer window.

They splashed out around £8 million on the Argentinian attacking midfield prospect, with an eye to the future.

Mac Allister was loaned straight back to his club, Argentinos Juniors, for the rest of the season.

Now Albion have to decide what to do next with the 20-year-old, who has signed a contract until 2023.

Former manager Chris Hughton described Scottish-bred Mac Allister as an “exciting young prospect” but said he faced a “huge step up” from the levels he is used to.

Hughton’s successor, new head coach Graham Potter, will have a key say on the direction Albion take with the versatile No.10, who was also wanted by Boca Juniors.

Potter put a lot of faith in youth at cash-strapped Swansea City last season.

Albion are contemplating whether to keep Mac Allister in Argentina for another year, bring him to England or loan him out somewhere else in Europe such as Spain to broaden his education.

He scored five goals and contributed an assist in 19 outings for Juniors, who finished bottom of Argentina’s 26-club Superliga.