Steve Bruce reveals how Middlesbrough hijacked West Brom deal for Matt Clarke
Steve Bruce has revealed West Brom were in “pole position” to sign Matt Clarke this summer before Middlesborough hijacked the deal.
Former Baggies loanee Clarke was inching closer to a second spell at the Hawthorns this summer, but instead made the move to Championship rivals Middlesborough for an undisclosed fee.
Clarke made 33 appearances for West Brom during his loan spell at the club last season, but Bruce’s attempts to bring him back this summer were thwarted due to the offer put on the table by Boro.
“I don’t mind telling you, we were looking for Clarke,” stated Bruce, as quoted by Express & Star.
“We had to buy him if that was the case, and we had to wait – if nobody did buy him, then we were in pole position to sign him on loan.
“Middlesbrough then bought him, so Erik (Pieters) came into the equation.”
Transfer failure
It’s already common knowledge that Bruce wasn’t handed his first choice transfer targets over the summer window.
But the fact that the Baggies boss has come out publicly to discuss missing out on Clarke suggests he’s irritated with the board over their lack of activity, especially as it seems Clarke was on the brink of joining.
The 25-year-old centre-back played a big role in West Brom’s 2021/22 Championship campaign, and would’ve been a big boost had he joined in the summer. Instead, the team now looks poor defensively and fingers have to be pointed at the board.
Bruce is certainly not perfect, and his tactical decisions and team selection this season have definitely warranted criticism. But it would be naive to suggest that Bruce is the only issue at the Hawthorns right now.
Additions will be needed in January, so it’s down to both Bruce and the board to make sure that there’s a plan in place otherwise fans can strap themselves in for another disappointing window.
In other West Brom news, latest financial documents suggest the club is preparing new loans