Transfer Centre

Gareth Barry turned down 'multiple Premier League clubs to join West Brom'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 16 August 2017

West Bromwich Albion's new signing Gareth Barry reveals that a number of Premier League clubs were interested in signing him this summer.

Gareth Barry has revealed that several Premier League clubs were interested in signing him this summer, but West Bromwich Albion were the right fit.

The midfielder finalised a switch to The Hawthorns from Everton on Tuesday, signing an initial one-year deal.

Barry was entering the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, and was facing a season on the bench due to competition for places.

"I was happy at Everton and prepared to do my last year which included playing in European football this season," the Birmingham Mail quotes Barry as saying. "I was told by the club there was interest from a couple of Premier League teams which got me thinking a bit.

"I had some great conversations with [Everton manager] Ronald Koeman. He is a very honest manager and we discussed everything at length and he wanted to keep me around.

"Did I want to stay at Everton? Which was very comfortable for me, but I realised I wasn't going to be first choice as they were signing a lot of players. Was I ready for another challenge? So that's where my head was.

"I heard of West Brom's interest, thought long and hard about it and realised that was what I wanted. I am not the sort of player to sit back and be comfortable. I was really ready for this new challenge."

Barry has made 628 appearances in the Premier League in his career so far.