---
title: "West Brom: Baggies eyeing move for Matt Clarke"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-brom-matt-clarke-brighton-steve-bruce-stoke-city-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2022-08-05T19:11:01Z"
modified: "2022-08-05T19:11:01Z"
---

# West Brom: Baggies eyeing move for Matt Clarke

**[West Bromwich Albion](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-brom-news/) are plotting a move to sign Brighton defender Matt Clarke this summer, according to StokeOnTrentLive.**

### The Lowdown: Familiar territory

The 25-year-old has now entered the final [12 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/berateruebersicht/verein/1237) of his contract at the Amex, and after failing to make a breakthrough into Graham Potter’s first team since his arrival, has now been [linked](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-is-the-latest-with-matt-clarkes-situation-at-brighton-amid-west-brom-transfer-talk/) with a Seagulls exit.

The centre-back has spent the last three seasons out on loan in the [Championship](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship-news/) with both Derby County and the Baggies, and it sounds as if Steve Bruce is keen to try and bring him back to the Hawthorns in the weeks ahead.

### The Latest: West Brom eyeing Clarke

[StokeOnTrentLive](https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-brighton-transfer-matt-clarke-7421164) are reporting that two second-tier clubs have been put ‘on alert about the availability’ of Clarke, with West Brom, alongside Stoke City, both name-checked.

The source states that Bruce has ‘refused to rule out’ a move for the 6 foot 1 ace despite already being ‘well-stocked’ with central defenders, though there are ‘other interested parties’.

It’s expected that the Brighton man will be ‘available’ for a ‘loan or permanent’ switch this window after falling out of favour on the south coast.

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### The Verdict: No brainer

The Baggies do have plenty of centre-backs in the building with the likes of Semi Ajayi and Dara O’Shea, but after Clarke’s displays on loan, Bruce surely couldn’t turn down the chance to re-sign him if the opportunity is there.

During his spell in the Midlands, the Seagulls star, [dubbed](https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/he-already-looks-part-pundit-3303068.amp) an ‘exceptional’ player by [Sky Sports](https://icdb.tv/stats/169/Keith-Andrews) pundit Keith Andrews, averaged 3.1 clearances each league game and won 3.9 aerial duels per match, via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/141647/History/Matt-Clarke).

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Whether the position is a priority or not, this is exactly the profile of player that the 61-year-old needs in his backline and so should aim to fend off his competitor and get this deal wrapped up as quickly as possible.