‘I’m staying’: Reported £2.5m West Brom and Nottingham Forest target rules out exit

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West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest will not be signing Mathieu Peybernes on deadline day, with the Almeria defender confirming his desire to stay in the Spanish second tier, while speaking to La Voz de Almeria.

After saving Lugo from relegation and winning the club’s Player of the Year award during a fine loan spell, the 29-year-old Frenchman has unfinished business at his parent club.

An ambitious, Saudi-backed Almeria side are desperate to buy their way into La Liga after stumbling in the play-offs last season, and Peybernes obviously feels that he has a big part to play at the promotion-chasing side.

Marca reported in August that both Forest and West Brom were mulling over triggering the £2.5 million release clause in his contract, while a Swansea side who also reached the play-offs before falling at the final hurdle were interested too.

While Peybernes has frequently expressed a desire to prove himself in Britain, he is not going anywhere just yet.

“I’m staying to fight for this title,” said the former Toulouse stopper.

“At 29 I am one of the oldest at the club. There are many young people, but we all have the same commitment. We pull in the same direction.

“Many things have been said about my future but, since I came here, I have been focused on Almería and I have not thought of leaving. I spoke with the sports management and the coach and what happened last year is forgotten. I will stay to contribute my experience on and off the field.”

Both West Brom and Nottingham Forest have endured miserable starts to 2020/21, failing to win any of their first four league games while slipping into the relegation zone.