Hull City's James Chester nears West Bromwich Albion switch

Hull City defender James Chester is on the verge of joining West Bromwich Albion, according to Baggies boss Tony Pulis.

Pulis told BBC Sport that an £8m deal to secure the Wales international's services is "almost done".

"I think he is a good player, he can play anywhere along the backline, and he's a young lad who can only get better," he said.

"I spoke to [Hull boss] Steve [Bruce] last year - and he mentioned two players at Hull he was really impressed with and James was one of them."

Bruce admitted that Chester's exit was "inevitable" following Hull's relegation from the Premier League last term, but pledged to invest the transfer fee into improving his squad.

"We've said all summer that it is inevitable that we are going to lose a few players because that is the fallout of relegation," he said.

"He has served the club fantastically well in the time he has been here and how can you deny him the opportunity to play in the Premier League?

"The money we get from him we will re-invest back into the squad."

Chester bowed out of Hull's pre-season tour of Austria to open talks with the Baggies.