Jonathan Greening has reiterated his happiness at The Hawthorns but has admitted his desire to play again in the Premier League – if the right deal suited the club.
Despite media reports that the playmaker had fallen out with the hierarchy and refused to sign a new contract, Greening has set the record straight after scoring a thunderbolt in Albion’s first win of pre-season.
The former Manchester United and Middlesbrough man did hand in an official transfer request prior to jetting out to Slovenia. However his requested exit was due to personal ambition rather than his happiness in the Black Country.
Greening was subject of a ‘derisory’ offer from Fulham earlier in the week and has no qualms at staying at The Hawthorns if an acceptable offer is not accepted by the club.
“I had a very amicable meeting with Chairman Jeremy Peace, Sporting & Technical Director Dan Ashworth and Head Coach Roberto Di Matteo last week, at which I handed in a transfer request,” the 30-year-old admitted.
“I explained that, at my age, I want to be playing in the Premier League because I may not get too many more chances.
"The club agreed that if an acceptable offer comes in for me, they will let me talk to the bidding club.
"But I made it clear to the Chairman that I in no way want to rock the boat and that if a suitable offer doesn't come in for me, I'll be more than happy to knuckle down, fight for my place and try and get this club back in the top flight.
"I really want to clear this up because some of the things that were written in the media yesterday, about me being 'furious' with the club, and that the situation had gone 'sour', are just not true.
"It has also been wrongly reported that I have rejected the club's contract offer.
"I've had five great years here and the club has been brilliant to me.
"If I do leave, I want it to be in the right way.
"If I don't, I'll keep giving my all every time I pull on an Albion shirt.
"I think it's important the fans know this. I've always had a great relationship with them and I really appreciated the positive reception they gave me at last night's game."