Albion fans were made to wait but it was absolutely worth it because they have managed to acquire one of the Championship's most prolific marksmen with the extremely late capture of Southampton striker Adam Armstrong.
The 27-year-old has scored 80 career goals in the second tier, including 24 last season for the Saints, who beat the Baggies in the play-offs on their way to securing promotion to the Premier League.
In his early interviews since being appointed for a second spell last month, head coach Tony Mowbray has distanced himself from the work of the club's recruitment team – led by sporting director Andrew Nestor – but there's no doubt that the 61-year-old's influence has led to this deal being completed.