Anderlecht have already made plans for life after Percy Tau – as Albion fans hope to see what he can do.
The speedy South Africa international is widely expected to see his loan in Belgium’s top flight cut short.
It is unclear what sort of an impact he could have in the Premier League after a mixed season in the Jupiler Pro League.
Tau has scored four goals and added one assist from the No.10 berth for fourth-placed Anderlecht.
But Albion and many fans will appreciate he would need time to make the step up.
Tau has overcome a muscular injury which troubled him in December.
Anderlecht are convinced he will secure a UK work permit and are already negotiating with a replacement in Majeed Ashimeru, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg.
It is thought Tau is no longer in Brussels.
He did not take part in a team meeting as Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany prepared his squad for the rest of the season.
Tau's South Africa strike partner Lebo Mothiba is convinced he could make an impression in the Premier League.
Mothiba told The Argus: “He is a player with a lot of potential. Of course, when he comes he will have to adapt, like any player.
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“But, for me, he can play in the Premier League. His pace is key to that.”
Albion have been inundated with enquiries about Tau from other clubs since signing him in 2018 - significantly more than for any other player.
As a non-EU player, the club have been eyeing the change in work permit rules due to Brexit for some time as a chance to end his loan exile.
That was also being seen as the best route to securing a permit for Alexis Mac Allister at one stage before his dramatic progress with Boca Juniors and Argentina cleared a path for him through the red tape.
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