Toby Collyer has joined West Brom on a permanent deal from Manchester United, despite Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic making clear his feelings about the midfielder on Thursday.
Jakirovic wanted Collyer back at City, despite the 22-year-old enduring a nightmare spell on loan in the second half of last season, but the Croatian had seen enough to want him permanently.
Throughout the summer, City had been monitoring Collyer’s situation and were keen to make a move after he came through pre-season at United without any of the injury troubles that had left him sidelined for much of last season.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline, the feeling both at the MKM Stadium and Old Trafford was that Collyer would end up signing for City permanently, but in the past 48 hours, their interest had cooled a little, which opened up the door for Albion to get a permanent deal done.
Collyer made just four appearances during his loan spell, with his only start coming against Coventry City on Easter Monday, having spent the first half of the season on loan with the Baggies, who, like the Tigers, had been long-term admirers.
He caught the eye against the Sky Blues, with Jakirovic believing that the performance showed the potential of the player. Unfortunately, an injury ended his season, and he didn’t play again after that game.
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Finances were not the issue, with City prepared to meet the £3m figure United wanted and would have been happy to agree to the add-ons, which could have reached a further £4m, plus an agreed sell-on fee.
The issue surrounding Collyer was the lack of squad space and greater priorities in the remaining days of the transfer window. Collyer is understood to have wanted assurances about his role within the squad.
Following the arrivals of Hidemasa Morita and Lucas Gourna-Douath, coupled with Jakirovic being able to call upon influential regulars Matt Crooks and Regan Slater, it was felt Collyer could struggle to get the regular football he craves. While Jakirovic was keen to add him and even make room for him, the player himself had reservations about what could potentially be a lack of opportunities, and therefore wanted to go somewhere he knew he would play regularly.
City remain active in the final days of the window, but they also know they must move players out to enable them to bring new ones in and ensure their 25-man squad does not have an expensive amount of absentees.
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