Rickie Lambert latest: Liverpool striker to begin talks with West Brom

The former Southampton player is expected to leave Anfield this summer

West Brom are expected to step up their interest in Liverpool's Rickie Lambert in the next 24 hours.

The Baggies are keen to bring the striker to The Hawthorns and talks are set to take place between all parties, Press Association Sport understands.

A deal could be wrapped up by the end of the week with Albion's transfer activity expected to gather pace now boss Tony Pulis has returned from the United States following their three-game tour.

Pulis is hunting a new striker to help Saido Berahino with question marks over record signing Brown Ideye's future following a disappointing first season in England.

Lambert also struggled to make an impact at Liverpool after a move from Southampton last summer with the 33-year-old scoring just three times in 36 appearances.

He rejected a deadline day move to Aston Villa in February with the forward insisting he did not want to leave Liverpool after just half a season.

But the England international will also fall down the pecking order on Merseyside with the impending arrival of Christian Benteke, with the Aston Villa striker set to complete a £32.5million transfer to Anfield.

Pulis is overhauling his squad this summer with QPR's Matt Phillips and Arsenal's Serge Gnabry on his radar.

Michail Antonio remains a target despite West Brom having a £5million bid rejected by Nottingham Forest last week. It is understood the Baggies remain confident they can land the winger.

PA