Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has reportedly been linked with a £30million takeover of Premier League new boys West Brom.Albion chairman Jeremy Peace admits the club "needs significantly more financial backing" if they are to succeed in England's top tier, having won promotion by winning the Championship title last season.

And that backing could arrive come from Deripaska, who is chairman of Russian aluminium industry company RUSAL and is reportedly pondering a bid for the Hawthorns outfit, according to The Mirror.

In 2008 Deripaska's fortune was accumulated to about £14billion. In 2005 he was included in the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated wealth of £4,375million.

Peace, the Baggies' majority shareholder, is open to offers and said: "To be successful a club of our size needs significantly more financial backing.

"We will listen to any substantive and sensible proposals, which are in the best long-term interests of the club."

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray, meanwhile, is believed to have tabled a bid for 22-year-old defender Michael Jakobsen, who plays for Danish side Aalborg.

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