Yep, the mention on the Albion website is outdated info. Baluta WAS one of 26 Romanian players based outside the country who were named by the national team boss on August 14 as potentially being involved in this squad - Convocări preliminare pentru primele două meciuri din Liga Națiunilor - but...
I haven't seen any evidence that he has been at Lancing (or in Scotland) at all this pre-season (not saying he definitely hasn't been, but he hasn't appeared in any photos that have been published).
In the Argus today, Brian Owen reports that what happens now for Baluta and Jan Mlakar "..is being discussed by top men at Albion." (which seems a somewhat bizarre way to put it, but there we are).
Gheorghe Hagi believes Baluta is a "genius" and said after the win over Croatia "Baluta was...
He started out as a central defender. Gheorghe Hagi didn't think he was physical enough to play there and played him in midfield. This season he was used mostly as the deepest central midfielder in a three. A Romanian football journalist has stated that because of his discipline, tactical role...