PULIS POTTY AT DAZ MOVE
SCOTLAND star Darren Fletcher last night signed for Stoke City – plunging the future of West Brom boss Tony Pulis into doubt.
The 33-year-old former Manchester United star – who has 78 caps – has penned a two-year deal with the Potters after leaving West Brom on a free transfer.
The Baggies wanted to keep Fletcher at the Hawthorns beyond his two seasons but he’s decided to join up with Mark Hughes at the Brittannia Stadium.
Putting pen to paper will give the Scotland star a boost ahead of their World Cup clash with England at Hampden next week.
But Baggies captain Fletcher’s deflection to Stoke has flung Pulis’s future into doubt.
But the out-of-contract midfielder’s decision to join Premier League rivals Stoke on a Bosman will infuriate him.
Albion offered Manchesterbased Fletcher a new deal and Pulis recently said he was “confident” the Scot would sign.
But he has now agreed to move to the Potters on a free transfer when his Baggies contract runs out at the end of June.
It will add to Pulis’ frustrations at Albion, where many fans have criticised him despite coming 10th in the league.
Pulis said: “Of course there is a disappointment in seeing Fletch move on and we wish him well.
“I was happy that we made him a fair and competitive offer but, as is his right, he has chosen to accept another opportunity.
“He has been my captain since he came into the club and led the team superbly but we move on.”
Pulis signed a year extension in October tying him to the club until 2018 on £2million-a-year.
But chairman John Williams, in regular contact with Albion’s Chinese owner Guochuan Lai, stated in February he would recommend giving Pulis a longer deal this summer. Just one win in Albion’s final 12 games has put those plans on ice for now.
Pulis, who faces a hefty £3.7m bill to his old club Crystal Palace after losing a High Court battle, is not believed to want to walk away.
However, the 59-year-old is known to be keeping his options open to managing elsewhere if he gets a longer more lucrative offer.
Pulis could even be tempted by a big offer to work in China after playing in Hong Kong previously.
Fletcher, who started 86 consecutive league games under the gaffer, played a key role at Albion on and off the pitch.
His exit could also re-open the war of words between Pulis and Stoke successor Hughes after the pair clashed over Saido Berahino.
Hughes claimed Albion didn’t inform them striker Berahino failed a drugs test prior to his January move to the Potters and accused Albion of leaking the news on the eve of the clubs meeting in February.