Diomansy Kamara

Albion’s summer of sales finally got under way as striker Diomansy Kamara’s switch to Fulham got the go-ahead.After a week of wrangling, the Baggies struck a deal which sees Kamara heading for Craven Cottage for £4m and Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson moving to The Hawthorns.

That represents very good business for Albion as they chalked up a £2.5m profit on Kamara and took delivery of a proven Championship goalscorer in Helguson into the bargain.

Kamara’s exit will get a mixed reception from the Albion faithful - he finished the season joint top scorer with 23 but was himself the subject of constant speculation that he had itchy feet.

His exit was inevitable from the moment Albion missed promotion and, after the club rejected both Fulham’s straight £4.5m cash offer and a transfer request from Kamara, yesterday’s talks between chairman Jeremy Peace and agent Willie McKay brokered today’s agreement.

The Baggies said in a statement: “Albion are in talks with Fulham over a deal which could involve Diomansy Kamara joining the London club for £4m with Heidar Helguson coming to The Hawthorns.”

Kamara's agent, Willie McKay, has confirmed a deal is close to being sealed with the player agreeing to make the switch to Craven Cottage on a four-year deal.

"We have agreed terms with Fulham and Diomansy has undergone a medical," McKay said.

"The move is more or less done and he has been offered a four-year deal."