Comment: Why cut-price deal for Marc Wilson would make sense

In a summer of spiralling, eye-popping fees, the 29-year-old defender offers Premier League experience, versatility, and a working relationship with Tony Pulis at a reduced price.

Bournemouth are willing to sell, and provided Wilson isn’t asking for too long a contract, and it’s made alongside other signings, it is a deal worth doing.

A one-year contract with an optional second year based on performances would be a sensible offer.

If Albion’s squad had more than 20 senior players, and a number of options across the back four, this deal may not be in the pipeline, but needs must.

Pulis currently has just four senior defenders at his disposal. Gareth McAuley has defied doubters for years, so write him off at your peril, but there’s no escaping the fact he is turning 38 in December.

Jonny Evans, meanwhile, is interesting other clubs, even though Albion insist their talismanic centre-back is not for sale. At least one new defender, if not two or three, is needed this summer.

Wilson spent the second half of last season on loan at The Hawthorns, but wasn’t used until the last four games.

After a season with no football, he looked understandably rusty during the first 15 minutes of his debut against Burnley, but quickly grew into the game.

Over the course of the next few matches he was a solid and reliable addition to the back line. Nothing flashy, but a safe pair of hands.

He still has a year left on his Bournemouth contract, but he’s gagging to get out of Dean Court, where he’s failed to hit it off with boss Eddie Howe.

Moving down to the south coast shortly after his son was born, he had a torrid time away from his young family.

Joining Albion in January allowed him to move back to Knutsford with his wife and baby, leaving him happier both on and off the pitch.

In his end-of-season message to supporters, chairman John Williams said: “As has been made clear by Tony and myself, our target this summer will be to find a number of additions who can make a tangible impact at first team level.”

Fans will worry that signing Wilson is going back on those words, papering over the cracks of a threadbare squad.

But coupled with a first-choice centre-back signing, Wilson could be the perfect addition to the group.

Although no player likes sitting on the bench, after failing to get near the Bournemouth squad, being a substitute for Albion would be an acceptable step up in his career.

Crucially, he would provide a back-up in case of injury and that important bit of competition that keeps the first-choice back four on their toes and looking over their shoulder.

Wilson may not be a first choice for a top 10 Premier League club, but he has the character, experience, and presence to help keep the environment in the dressing room steady and those around him honest.

A problem-solver on the bench, he can play all across the back line and is also of use in central midfield too, where he started his career.

Like it or not, Pulis is a fan of versatility, and anyway, it is necessary when the squad is so small.

There aren’t many players available for £1m with his character, still sitting the right side of 30 (just), with more than 180 Premier League appearances under his belt.

It may not be sexy, but it would make sense.