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Okay, so Tony Pulis has only managed to bring in one player so far this summer.

But there's plenty of signs of encouragement for West Bromwich Albion fans.

The Saido saga

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Here's seven:

1, A new deal for Saido

Albion have finally pulled their finger out and offered Saido Berahino a new contract.

You might say he's not worth one after his struggles in front of goal last season.

But if he can finally put all the speculation behind him and play without distraction, Berahino will rediscover his goal scoring knack and justify his bumper new contract.

It's another matter whether he signs it, but at least the Baggies have shown a desire to keep their most naturally gifted striker just when it looked like they were resigned to losing him.

2, The right links

As much as Albion would love to go out and buy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo it simply isn't feasible.

They have to work within parameters.

They must focus on players they can realistically lure and afford, but also those who will complement the chemistry of the squad and possess the right attributes.

To that end, Albion are being linked with all the right people.

West Ham attackers Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho, Norwich City all-rounder Robbie Brady, Leeds left-back Charlie Taylor and Newcastle powerhouse Moussa Sissokho would all be great additions.

Albion might have missed out on Nathan Redmond, another who would have been a fabulous signing, but at least they were in the hat.

Furthermore, the players Albion are willing to listen to offers for are those you would naturally expect.

We're yet to see technical director Nick Hammond unearth hidden gems and negotiate the best deals like he did at Reading, but the summer is still young.

3, One good addition

Matt Phillips has the potential to become a dangerous weapon for the Baggies.

He has the kind of electrifying pace that will worry any defender.

It's just whether he can produce the end product Stephane Sessegnon so frequently failed to deliver after finding himself in promising positions.

4, Gone is the deadwood

It's not uncommon for fans to scratch their heads and wonder why a manager has released a certain player.

But few would have mourned the departures of Anders Lindegaard and Victor Anichebe.

As exciting as Sessegnon was, he simply did not make the right decisions and when he did, his execution was often awry.

That said, he might just have been worth another year.

5, Loans at a higher level

I agree with Pulis that young players will learn far more about football, and themselves, from loan spells where they can compete in first team matches of importance and in the presence of passionate crowds.

A number of players were farmed out last term, many to non-league teams.

But the standard of the receiving clubs has been higher thus far.

Two of the Club's brightest prospects - Shaun Donnellan and Callam Jones - are bound for League Two sides Stevenage and Accrington Stanley respectively.

And rookie goalkeeper Alex Palmer is having a trial with Scottish side Hibernian with a view to a potential loan.

6, Morrison remains

How Albion missed James Morrison's creativity when he was injured for the second half of last season.

The Scot flits in and out of games but few, if anyone, in the Albion squad are as inventive on the ball and boast his ability to pick out an incisive pass.

Morrison also has an eye for goal or two.

His decision to sign a new two-year deal was a big plus.

7, Business acumen pays off

If a young player does leave you can be sure Chairman Jeremy Peace will only do business if it's right for his club.

Questions were asked when promising attacker Kemar Roofe was allowed to join Oxford United last summer.

But Peace made sure a sell-on clause was written into the transfer.

That clause earned Albion £1.2 million from Roofe's £3 million transfer to Leeds this week.

Let's hope the cash is reinvested on new signings.