WEST Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo is preparing a �750,000 bid for Stoke defender Leon Cort. (Daily Mirror)Di Matteo is ready to make an offer for the ex-Crystal Palace centre-half as he attempts to boost his Championship promotion challenge.

WEST Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo is preparing a �750,000 bid for Stoke defender Leon Cort. (Daily Mirror)

Di Matteo is ready to make an offer for the ex-Crystal Palace centre-half as he attempts to boost his Championship promotion challenge.

But Albion will face competition from Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Ipswich for the 30-year-old, who is ready to leave Stoke before the transfer window slams shut.

Cort has not made a Premier League appearance for the Potters this season, but Stoke will only sanction a permanent move.