Mulumbu denies wanting to leave West Brom

The Congolese midfielder insists that he did not say that Arsenal were interested in signing him and also rejected the claim that he criticised his Baggies team-mates



Youssouf Mulumbu has denied saying that he wants to leave West Brom in January for a "more classy" club.

Quotes were attributed to the Congolese midfielder regarding his future at the club and the professionalism of his team-mates, with him supposedly identifying Arsenal as a team to have made an approach for his services.

However, Mulumbu insists that he was misrepresented and has sought to reassure fans that he is fully committed to Steve Clarke's side.

"I did an interview with a French journalist last week but I am not very happy about how my answers have been reported," he told West Brom's official website.

"I have been here for five years now and would never refer to my team-mates that way. I just spoke about the fact we need to get better at controlling games after the points we've let slip recently.

"The general point I was trying to make in the interview is that I want to play at the highest level possible.

"I admitted there has been interest in me from other clubs during my time here but I didn't speak about Arsenal and I also didn't say I would be looking to move in January."

Mulumbu arrived at the Hawthorns in 2009 and recognises that both he and the club have come a long away in the interim.

"Not many people had heard of me when I joined West Brom and I have a lot of respect for the club and, of course, the supporters," he added.

"We have progressed together over the past five years and West Brom gave me my chance in the Premier League, which I'm grateful for.

"I signed a new contract last summer and my only focus is supporting my team-mates [against Manchester City on Wednesday] and then trying to help the club finish as high up the table as possible."