Kieran Gibbs has explained his decision to join West Brom instead of Watford.

Gibbs left after Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but could have joined Watford instead of West Brom.

The left-back explained that he was close to joining the Hornets, but that “a few details” weren’t right and the move broken down.

“I think a fee had been agreed,” Gibbs told the Birmingham Mail.

“Over the next couple of days, if there hadn’t been any issues, it looked likely I would have signed for them.

“I’m still not quite sure what really happened.

“My agent just came to me and said there were a few things not quite right.

“‘How do you feel about West Brom and Tony Pulis?’

“I was interested and just weighed up a few things with friends and family.

“I thought at the time that this move would be right for me.”

It was reported during the summer that Watford were reluctant to meet Gibbs’ wage demands.

In the end, having made a number of considerations, he thought that West Brom would be the better option for him.

“The (Watford) training ground is literally right next door.

“It would have been more convenient, but I don’t think it would have been the change that I needed completely.

“In terms of even things like route to work.

“When you do something for over 10 years sometimes you feel like you need change.

“Moving from home where I can get my head down and focus can only help me.

“That definitely played a part.

“So I thought ‘why not?’”

Gibbs went on to detail the conversation he had with West Brom manager Tony Pulis and the assurances he received from the Welshman.

“I spoke to him probably about 12 hours after I heard they were interested,” he said.

“After speaking to him I felt even more comfortable about coming here.

“Having that conversation with him and just tying up a few things that I would have spoke to any manager about before signing.

“Medically as well and just how I was going to be managed around the team.

“That he agreed what I asked for showed he wanted me.

“Because he was prepared to give me a few things I asked for gave me the confidence to come up and meet him.”

The 28-year-old has made five appearances for West Brom and started their recent 2-2 draw with Watford. He also started in their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

He made 230 appearances in 11 years at Arsenal, having broken into the first team during the 2006/07 season.

He became the first choice left back during the 2011/12 season, but eventually lost his place to Nacho Monreal and spent his most his time as an able back-up.

The signing of Sead Kolasinac in the summer confirmed that Gibbs’ time at Arsenal was at an end.