Baggies sign Udeze - chase Sherwood
Baggies chief Gary Megson has been linked with numerous names during the transfer window, but Nigerian international Udeze looks set to become his first capture.
The Midlanders have reached an agreement with the 22-year-old's Greek club, PAOK Salonika, and Udeze will sign on loan for the rest of the season for an undisclosed fee, with an option for a permanent deal in the summer, subject to receiving a work permit.
That should be a formality for the African who is a regular with Nigeria, and featured twice for his country at last summer's World Cup finals.
Albion managing director, Brendon Batson, expressed his delight at Udeze's imminent arrival, declaring the youngster would add much needed quality to the club's ranks.
"Ifeanyi is very highly regarded and we're delighted we have been able to attract that calibre of player to the club," he said.
"He comes with a very good pedigree and will be a valuable addition to the squad.
"Ifeanyi enjoyed his trial period with us and that really was the clincher. It was then just a case of agreeing terms."
Meanwhile, Megson confirmed that he had made enquiries for 32-year-old Sherwood who has been at the centre of a war of words with current employers, Tottenham Hotspur, this week.
Sherwood is determined to leave the North London outfit, and Megson is hoping The Baggies can put together a package to lure the experienced midfielder to The Hawthorns.
"We spoke to Spurs a while back and now the chairman has spoken to Tim about what he wants to do," stated the former Norwich boss.
"He is obviously an experienced professional who has enjoyed a lot of success in the game and we are looking to see if we can get anything together that suits us and him.
"We will have to wait and see on that one.
"Everyone is aware that I am looking to bring in extra bodies.
"We do need a bigger squad. It is apparent from what we have seen this season that there are certain things that we need."
Megson has already seen deals for Macedonian Artem Sakiri and American Tony Sanneh fall through at the last minute, and is desperate to secure further reinforcements to his threadbare squad.
