According to reports, West Bromwich Albion are eyeing a move for Hull City star Sam Clucas in case they fail to land the veteran Gareth Barry from Everton this summer. The Toffees midfielder, although pushed down the pecking order, is still in manager Ronald Koeman’s plans for the season and might prove difficult for the Baggies to land.
Sam Clucas was a regular figure for the Tigers last season and earned many admirers owing to his disciplined displays from the defensive midfield. West Bromwich manager Tony Pulis remains one of his fans and following the departure of skipper Darren Fletcher from the squad this summer, is willing to bring him in as a replacement.
Unlike most other sides in the Premier league, the Baggies did very little business in the summer so far, getting in centre-half Ahmed Hegazy from Egyptian side El Ahly Cairo, and striker Jay Rodriguez from Southampton. And the Egyptian was on target on their opening day of the season as Pulis saw his men overcoming a dangerous Bournemouth side winning 1-0.
Pulis had to play young Sam Field in the attacking midfield in place of Darren Fletcher and the 19-year-old fared quite well. However, the Welshman knows that Field cannot be a viable option throughout the season and that he will need experienced legs to hold the position under pressure.
Clucas has been one of his top priorities now after Barry but it looks like the chase for 36-year-old will have to be cancelled for now. West Brom needs an immediate solution and with Barry not featuring for Everton’s win over Stoke City with an ankle injury, Pulis could move for Clucas fast.
Reportedly, Championship side Hull City have placed an affordable £10m price for their midfielder, who has already managed to score a goal in the opening two games of their season. The left sided midfielder could bring great balance to their midfield alongside the likes of Jake Livermore and Claudio Yacob.
Clucas is more of an orthodox central midfielder who retains some brilliant abilities to distribute the ball in the attacking third. He can be superb in dictating the tempo of Wes Brom’s game with his superior technique on the ball and could keep Pulis’ side remain in perfect shape.
An academy product of Leicester City, Clucas has played for numerous clubs, even outside England, before getting his break with Hull City in 2015. They are Lincoln City, Glenn Hoddle Academy, Hereford United, Mansfield Town and Chesterfield FC. So is he a decent option for West Brom?
