West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has confirmed that he is looking to sell the club sooner rather than later.

Peace, who owns almost 90% of the Baggies, revealed back in February that he was open to handing the club over to a new investor.

The 58-year-old businessman has been in charge at The Hawthorns for the past 13 years.

Peace has now assured supporters that he will make sure that the club will be in safe hands if he departs.

"Since announcing in February that I was taking the club to the investment market, I am sure you have read media speculation about interested parties in contact over a possible purchase," he told West Brom's official website.

"That process remains ongoing and as of this moment, those parties are conducting due diligence on the club. But let me once again stress that I do not intend this to become a long-running saga which could become counter-productive to our preparations for next season. Indeed, those preparations are now underway with a progressive dialogue over targets for the summer.

"It is also right to say that, in the discussions that I have conducted with those parties, there is a uniform view about committing to the management model which I believe has served the club so well. In short, if there is a change of ownership, the transition should be smooth and devoid of upheaval. Business will continue as normal."

West Brom are back in Premier League action tonight when they entertain champions Chelsea.