West Bromwich Albion are plotting an audacious move to sign Germany’s World Cup winner André Schürrle on loan for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old is out of favour at Borussia Dortmund, who are willing to subsidise his £140,000-a-week wages to get him off their books for the rest of the campaign.

West Brom have opened talks with Dortmund, but are struggling to complete the deal at present because they need to shift players from their wage bill before making any new signings.

As The Times revealed last Saturday West Brom are close to breaching the Premier League’s wage curb rules, which limit increases in club wage bills to £7 million each season unless the money is self-generated. Jonny Evans is the most likely