English boss opens up on failed bid to land West Brom player, spoke to talent a ‘few times’
Northampton Town boss Keith Curle has opened up in his disappointment at having missed out on signing West Brom youngster Callum Morton.
The striker played a pivotal role in the Cobblers’ promotion to League One last term, scoring eight goals in 12 matches, including one in the play-off final victory over Exeter City.
Since then, however, Morton has gone on to join Lincoln City on loan – much to Curle’s dismay.
Speaking to the Northampton Chronicle, he said: “A lot of supporters would have seen Callum join Lincoln and he’s a player that we’ve been monitoring very closely and offered money for.
“We were competing to take him on loan and were happy to match the finances that any other club was prepared to take but he’s a West Brom player and in their opinion, his next development step was to go to a different footballing environment.
“It’s disappointing because I spoke to Callum a few times and he would have been happy to come back here because of the progression he had and he was made to feel very welcome by the changing room and the staff and also the supporters.
“But Callum’s respectful of the fact that he’s signed a long-term deal with West Brom and they see his next step going elsewhere and from everybody at the football club, we sincerely wish Callum the best – apart from when he plays against us!”
It’s not hard to see why Curle is so disappointed here.
Morton looked unplayable at time during the second half of last season, and his red hot form was a deciding factor in helping Northampton to climb out of the fourth tier.
With that in mind, any manager in the world would have wanted him back at the club for another season.
Morton’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the Baggies either.
Slaven Bilic has lavished praise on the youngster, claiming that he is “made of steel” and has “something special” about him.
Former Albion boss Tony Pulis has also picked out Morton as one to watch in the past, and if this loan move to Lincoln works out, he could be in for a very big future at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have been linked with a Chelsea defender.
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