Steve Bruce ‘not ruling out’ West Brom resigning Matt Clarke after successful loan spell
West Brom manager Steve Bruce has not ruled out the possibility of bringing Matt Clarke back to The Hawthorns for the next season.
The 25-year-old spent the last season on loan at Brighton which proved to be a successful move for his career.
After already securing John Swift and Jed Wallace in this window, the former Newcastle manager says he has got some big decisions to make in the next few weeks.
“We’ve got to be respectful to Brighton and what they want [regarding Clarke],” Bruce said while talking to Express & Star. “They indicated that they wanted to see him in pre-season, to decide on what they wanted to do.
“We’re all spinning the plates. We’ve got to respect Brighton to see what they want. They’re only just back in training. We’ll see. But I’m not ruling that out.”
The Return
Many West Brom fans would be delighted if Clarke returns and become a key part of the side for the next campaign.
Despite having many central defenders at the club in Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley, Dara O’Shea, Cedric Kipre, Kean Bryan and Caleb Taylor, it is the former Portsmouth man who will be playing every week based on the way he performed for Brighton.
The 25-year-old was arguably the standout player for the Potters last season as they secured their best Premier League season since their return to the English top-flight in 2017.
The former Newcastle United manager always has had the reputation of clubs getting promoted and if he wants to make history repeat again, it is important that he has players at his disposal who believe in him and the project of the club.
As Clarke knows Bruce from the past and has already had the experience of playing for the Baggies, he will not find it difficult in terms of adjusting to his new teammates.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies are set to battle Manchester United to sign an exit-bound Premier League goalkeeper this summer.
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