[Tom_Wba]

Not really a transfer story but a bit of good news for us:
West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley has signed a new one-year contract with the Premier League club.

McAuley's previous deal with Albion was due to expire at the end of the month.

The Northern Ireland international, 35, who joined the Baggies on a free transfer from Ipswich Town in 2011, lost his place at the start of last season under Alan Irvine.

But he became a regular in the starting line-up again in the second half of the campaign under new boss Tony Pulis.

McAuley returned to Albion's training ground on Monday to sign the new deal after playing for Northern Ireland in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania, which ended 0-0.

I agree - this IS good news for us. GMac may be nearly as old as me, and a type of CB from (maybe) another era, but he's a very solid, consistent performer. If we could get a younger, quicker 'more modern' kind of CB in, I'd rather have GM than Olly any time!
The trouble is we have 3 of roughly the same in these 2 and Lescott which means we always will struggle against pace, and/or play a very deep defensive line 
....unless we CAN get another in as above!

His experience is vital even if he doesn't start every week his presence in the changing room alone is well worth it, when called upon we'll know exactly what we'll get from him I'd like to see us go out and sign some younger defenders over the summer like Mings again players like GMac,Lescott will be a real positive influence