West Bromwich Albion begin Ben Foster talks

West Bromwich Albion have opened up discussions with Birmingham City over the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The former England international spent the whole of last season with the Baggies, featuring in all but one of the club's Premier League encounters.

Having been impressed by the 29-year-old's performances between the posts, West Brom's sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth has revealed that the club are eager to keep him at the Hawthorns.

"We've started discussions with Birmingham City and we hope we can find a solution that suits them and suits us," Ashworth told the Express & Star.

"If we can't, then no problem we'll have to move on, but it's down to discussions with them.

"As with every transfer, the selling club has 'X' in mind and the buying club only value at 'Y' so you hope that you find a tipping point that suits both parties. If you don't then the transfer doesn't happen."

Foster joined Birmingham in 2010 from Manchester United.