The 29-year-old, who is joining from Zamalek until the end of the season, travelled to the United Kingdom yesterday.

Gabr was initially lined up as a cheap replacement for Jonny Evans, but the Express & Star understands that the centre-back will now join regardless of whether Albion's skipper is sold or not.

Gabr is Ahmed Hegazi's partner in the Egyptian national team and was spotted by former Albion boss Tony Pulis while playing in the African Cup of Nations.

He is joining on loan for £438,000 and included in the deal is an option to buy the defender for £1.1million in the summer.

If the Baggies do take up that option, like they decided to with Hegazi in December, Zamalek have included a 15 per cent sell on clause in the deal.

Albion have one overseas loan berth free after Hegazi's move was made permanent last month.

Premier League clubs are allowed two overseas loans and two domestic loans at any one time, and the Baggies already have Grzegorz Krychowiak on loan from French club Paris Saint-Germain.

Gabr will become Albion's first addition of the January transfer window, but Alan Pardew says the business is not yet finished.

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"We're going to try and bring a striker in before Wednesday and that will hopefully lift us as well," he said, after the stunning 3-2 victory over Anfield in the FA Cup.

Striker Jay Rodriguez scored two goals in that win to take his tally for the season to eight goals.

He has five in his last six games and Pardew thinks he's reacted to rumours of an incoming striker.

"He'll stop reacting if someone doesn't come in in my opinion," said Pardew. "When I played central midfield, if the club brought a central midfielder that was me, I'm going to war in training, I'm not having that, he's not taking my place. So of course there is a bit of that with Jay.

"Salomon (Rondon) is playing the best football of his career I think. I left him out for Man City. So we have two strikers bang in form which is really good news for us because that's what we've been hoping for."