Clarke laugh's off talk of Lukaku to Swansea

19 April 2013 06:47

West Brom manager Steve Clarke has dismissed suggestions on-loan forward Romelu Lukaku will join Swansea next season.

Lukaku has had an outstanding campaign since joining the Baggies on loan from Chelsea and they would like him to return to the club. But there have been suggestions the lure of European football might be enough to lure Lukaku to Swansea, who qualified for the Europa League thanks to their Capital One Cup success over Bradford in February.

But Clarke said: "There is nothing in it. I read in the press he's going to Swansea - but I would be very surprised if he ends up there."

At the end of his first full season as a manager in his own right, Clarke faces the delicate task of attempting to strengthen a squad currently on course for an eighth-place finish, whilst warding off predators with bigger budgets, attracted by the results West Brom have achieved this season.

"We're not concerned about losing players," he said. "It's a compliment.

"It means we've had a good season.

"But if anyone comes for our players they will have to pay a lot of money."

West Brom have cemented their status as a top-flight club by adopting a prudent approach in the transfer market, whilst loosening the purse strings for one significant new arrival, which last summer was England goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The policy has clearly been a successful one. And, for Clarke, if nothing is broken, there is no need to fix it.

"I see no reason why the policy would change," he said. "Over the recent seasons we've been successful and I imagine that's the model that will continue."

Source: PA