Newcastle United and Burnley are both keeping an interest in West Bromwich Albion defender Kyle Bartley, according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph.
The Baggies defender has one-year remaining on his current deal. However, despite impressing in recent weeks, he could leave the club this summer.
West Brom Defender Kyle Bartley Attracting Interest From Premier League Clubs
Improved Performances at the Back
The 29-year-old’s performances in recent weeks have been much-improved, with his West Brom side keeping three clean sheets in their last six games. It is a stark contrast to the side that Sam Allardyce first took over in December – the Baggies conceded 21 goals in their first seven games under the former England manager.
Bartley has featured in 21 of Albion’s games so far this season, scoring three goals and registering one assist. His last goal also came with a clean sheet, as he scored the only goal of the game in their 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
The win against the Seagulls is one of the games where Bartley has shone in particular. He registered two interceptions and four clearances as the Baggies stood their ground to secure a vital three points.
Allardyce’s side also secured a clean sheet in the game before against Burnley, leading to praise from Bartley.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the clean sheet and thought the whole team was superb,” he said to the official West Brom website. “Every boy put a great shift in and hopefully we can take that into next week.
“If we’re not consistent, we won’t stay up and that needs to be the blueprint for the rest of the season now and if we keep performing at that level, then we stand every chance.
“There’s always been belief but we’ve got to be at that level week in, week out and we can’t afford to have an off day because we have to get points on the board every week now.”
Why are Burnley and Newcastle Interested?
Newcastle and Burnley are both likely to be interested for contrasting reasons.
For the Magpies, it is likely to be with a view to the possible worst-case scenario this season. They are currently sat in a precarious position – two wins in their last 18 games means that they are cautiously above the relegation zone.
As a result, their interest is likely to come with an element of forward planning. Bartley has Championship experience at The Hawthorns already, but should they remain in the Premier League then he would be a good squad player in the North East.
Burnley, meanwhile, are likely to view the 29-year-old as a good back-up option to current central defenders James Tarkowski and Ben Mee. The pair are the undisputed first-choice at Turf Moor, although the former has been previously been linked with a move away.
Should Tarkowski depart in the summer, then Bartley would be more than capable of filling his shoes.
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