West Brom want to sign Arsenal pair Alexandre Song and Armand Traore on season-long loan deals - and have also been linked with Milan Baros.Cameroon international Song, 20, recently signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium - but Arsene Wenger may be willing to loan him out to the Baggies so he can gain regular first-team experience in the top flight.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray is also hoping the same applies with French star Traore, according to The Times, who only played a handful of games for the Gunners last season.

Both Song and Traore can play in a number of positions in defence and midfield, and defence is an area Mowbray needs to strengthen after seeing Albion concede 55 goals in 46 Championship games last season.

The Baggies chief sees loan deals as his best option as he is believed to have been given a £12million transfer budget, £3.5million of which has already been sent on recruiting Luke Moore from Aston Villa, with another £4million earmarked for Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson.

Mowbray has already seen star winger Zoltan Gera leave The Hawthorns for Fulham on a free transfer, and with veteran striker Kevin Phillips also expected to quit the club this summer, Lyon striker Baros has emerged on Albion's radar.

Baros spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and helped to set up the goal which knocked Albion out of the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Mowbray feels his experience would be vital if Phillips leaves, especially as the likes of Ishmael Miller and Roman Bednar are unproven in the top flight.

Tottenham's Adel Taarabt could also join the Baggies on a season-long loan deal, while Derry winger Paddy McCourt is also believed to be on the verge of a move to the Black Country.

McCourt told the Irish Daily Mirror: "I would be looking forward to it as every player wants to test themselves at the highest level.

"Many wouldn't argue that the Premier League is the best in the world. It if [the move] does come off I'll look forward to it very much. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit daunting."

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