WEST Bromwich Albion were today set to firm up their interest in Burnley's Richard Chaplow as Ipswich Town home in on Mo Camara.

Burnley are adamant they are still to receive any official bid for Chaplow from the Premiership strugglers, who claim to have tabled two 'verbal' offers in talks stretching back six weeks.

However, Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace said he was hopeful of striking a deal for the 19-year-old later today following a new set of talks with Burnley counterpart Barry Kilby.

Peace said: "There have been discussions between (the two managers) Bryan Robson and Steve Cotterill for some time and we have recently made two verbal offers for Chaplow.

"The latest involves player-plus-cash and was tabled on Tuesday. The following day Burnley made contact with a proposal which was not acceptable to us.

"The Burnley chairman agreed the ball was in his court and said he would get back to me.

"We left telephone messages for each other on Wednesday and I am planning to have further talks later today."

Robson last night went public to reveal his appreciation of Chaplow, who shone in Burnley's thrilling FA Cup third round victory over Liverpool on Tuesday.

Albion boss Robson said he was still hopeful of landing the Accrington-born midfielder in a cash-plus-player bid understood to involve James O'Connor, whose three-month loan at Turf Moor runs out after Saturday's Championship clash at Cardiff.

Former England captain Robson, who has finally admitted failure in his bid to land Argentine midfielder Matias Almeyda, said: "I have spoken to Steve (Cotterill) on a few occasions and I was hoping a deal would have been done by now.

"My chairman is still talking to their chairman and I would like to bring Chaplow into the club - Steve and his chairman both know that.

"Negotiations have been going on for the last six weeks and it's now up to the clubs.

"But we are hoping that the chairman can do something to make it happen."

Clarets boss Cotterill revealed: "If Richard ends up going to West Brom, there is probably a good chance of keeping O'Connor, but it has to be right for us.

"To be honest, that is not in our court. Our chairman has spoken to theirs to say what we would want in a deal and that's it as far as I know."

Robson, who is battling to keep Albion afloat in the Premiership, added: "I've had my eye on Richard for a while.

"I saw him two years ago when he first came into the team at Burnley as a young kid.

"He has lots of enthusiasm and good ability and there is no doubt he can make the leap up to the Premiership. That's why I'm in for him."

Meanwhile sources in Suffolk claim that Ipswich are lining up a deal to try to lure Camara away from Turf Moor.

Despite reports, Burnley have not turned down an initial approach from Ipswich boss Joe Royle, who is keen to re-unite the left back with best friend and fellow Guinean Drissa Diallo, who made the switch to Portman Road 18 months ago.

Camara, whose current deal runs out next summer, is currently in talks over a new Burnley deal.

However, the Tractor Boys have targeted Camara as a player they believe can help secure Premiership football next season.

Burnley's reserve fixture away to Stockport last night was postponed.

A second-half goal from Michael Owen could not prevent Real Madrid from crashing out of the Spanish cup after a 1-1 draw against Valladolid.

at the Bernabeu.