James McClean wanted to leave West Brom in January

The Republic of Ireland international was the subject of a £6million bid from the Rams during the last transfer window but the Baggies rejected it.

McClean was also ‘disappointed’ that Albion rejected an £8m bid from Burnley last summer when Sean Dyche was interested, although the Clarets did not return with another offer in January.

The winger still has one year left on his Albion contract, but he’s expected to leave the club this summer after being frustrated over the lack of minutes last season.

However, he started all six of Darren Moore’s games in charge and thanked the new head coach for making him feel like a footballer again.

Moore is planning to speak to every one of his players this week about their individual futures, but McClean’s is up in the air.

“I wanted to leave in January and made no secret of that,” McClean told the Irish Mirror. “I told the manager and chief executive at the time that I wanted to go.

“With the move to Burnley in August, I was disappointed that didn’t come off. I was playing at the time so I figured ‘alright, it’s not too bad’.

“But just because a manager (Sean Dyche) fancies you in one window doesn’t mean he’ll do in the next one. If you dwell on things that didn’t happen, it’ll wreck your head.”

McClean continued: “As soon as the window closed, for some reason I got dropped and didn’t play a game until Alan Pardew came in. I was playing more but playing once every three games.

“Then the Derby thing came about. They were second in the Championship at the time and I wasn’t playing as regularly as I’d like.

“I wanted to leave but the same thing happened; the club saying that I wasn’t going anywhere. The usual ‘you’re vital’, but as soon as the window closed, I didn’t play again.

“It was a difficult season in that sense. I had two good opportunities to leave for regular football but they denied me both times and didn’t play me. It was very tough.

“Then Darren Moore came in (initially as caretaker) and made me feel like a footballer again. I can’t thank him enough for that.

“I know we got relegated but considering where we were, to where we finished, we got a bit of pride back, a little bit of dignity.”

McClean is in the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendlies with France and the United States next week.

And he’s looking forward to the ‘different atmosphere’ of the Irish squad after a difficult season with the Baggies.

“I had tough days but that happens when you don’t play,” he said. “You’re frustrated and angry, you question a lot of things.

“Why am I not playing? Does the manager like me? Am I giving him enough? I’m never one to shirk a challenge by going into my shell and feeling sorry for myself.

“I’ve got good people around me making sure that doesn’t happen. That’s just not in my nature anyway. I’ll just work harder than ever.'

McClean has been an Albion player for three years, but it looks like his time at The Hawthorns could come to an end this summer.

“Clubs might get a bid that’s too good to turn down,” he said. “Or another club will offer you a deal that’s difficult for you to turn down. We’ll see what happens.”