West Brom chairman Peace: My absence from transfer talks was not the reason Bougherra snubbed us

Peace has dismissed the comments as ‘nonsense’ after Algeria defender Bougherra signed for Glasgow Rangers from Charlton instead within 24 hours of talking to Albion.

Bougherra said he ‘had the pen in  his hand’ to sign but West Brom officials believe the remarks to be inaccurate.

Madjid Bougherra signed for Rangers last week

'It is a nonsense for anyone to suggest a transfer cannot  be processed simply because I am not in attendance,' said Peace.

'I was away from the office for a few hours on Wednesday afternoon but was available by  phone and there were two directors present who could have completed the deal if  it had been possible.

'Terms had been agreed with the player but we were still not in a position to complete.'

Peace says that the player still had business to conduct with Charlton the following day as well as a medical at  The Hawthorns.

'We were waiting for Charlton to return a signed transfer agreement and were still awaiting the results of the player's medical, which we knew would not arrive until Thursday morning,' he said.

'It  was agreed by all parties that the player and his representatives would return the following afternoon to complete the transfer in the event of a positive  verdict from the medical and the player also resolving his contractual issues with Charlton on Thursday morning.

'However, the player and his  representatives did not return the following day and we were later informed that  he had decided to join Rangers, with whom he had also been in discussions.'