Alan Pardew wants to keep him.
West Brom have rejected an approach from Derby County to take James McClean on loan until the end of the season.
According to Sky Sports, Rams boss Gary Rowett is keen to add a winger in the second-half of the season to help with his side’s bid for promotion to the Premier League.
However, West Brom manager Alan Pardew is keen to keep McClean at the Hawthorns, with the Baggies currently 19th in the table and fighting for to remain in the top-flight.
The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international has made 23 appearances for West Brom this season. 15 of those have been as a substitute but the former Sunderland man has certainly come back into favour since Pardew succeeded Tony Pulis with five starts under the former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager.
However, reports have linked former Chelsea winger with a surprise move to West Brom having already snatched up Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on loan and, should the club seal that move, it may pave the way for McClean’s exit.
Served on a plate https://t.co/XSUFNhil6n
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 28, 2018
Several Derby County fan accounts on Twitter have run polls to gauge the reaction of McClean’s link to the club, with the majority stating that he would be a quality addition to the Championship side’s line-up.
McClean was an unused substitute in West Brom’s shock 3-2 FA Cup fourth round win over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday night. Pardew changed things up by going with two men – Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson-Kanu – up front.
The latter was replaced by Matthew Phillips after sustaining an injury and the fact that Pardew did not plump for McClean either means that he is saving him for the trip to Manchester City on Wednesday night – or doesn’t view him as a key member of the first-team.
Of course, seeing that the transfer deadline is 11pm on Wednesday night, it will be interesting to see if McClean is in the squad to face the Premier League leaders at the Etihad Stadium. If he isn’t, it will be reasonably safe to assume that Derby haven’t given up the fight to take him on loan.
James McClean has been linked to #dcfc would you have him in on loan until the end of season?
— Derby County News (@NewsDerbyCounty) January 28, 2018
