Albion did want Darren Bent back from Aston Villa.
Chief executive Paul Barber has confirmed the Seagulls were keen to re-sign the former England marksman.
Paul Lambert, the Aston Villa manager, claimed in widely reported remarks earlier this week that Albion did not want to renew Bent's loan.
Bent scored two goals in five outings for the Seagulls prior to Christmas before joining Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
Barber told The Argus: "I think he (Lambert) was misquoted. We wanted him (Bent) back.
"He wanted to come. The only reason that Darren went to Derby was because of the opportunity they presented for a longer term deal.
"And also, from a family point of view, I think the Midlands suited him.
"We absolutely wanted Darren and we would have been really happy to have taken him."
Original article
Chief executive Paul Barber has confirmed the Seagulls were keen to re-sign the former England marksman.
Paul Lambert, the Aston Villa manager, claimed in widely reported remarks earlier this week that Albion did not want to renew Bent's loan.
Bent scored two goals in five outings for the Seagulls prior to Christmas before joining Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
Barber told The Argus: "I think he (Lambert) was misquoted. We wanted him (Bent) back.
"He wanted to come. The only reason that Darren went to Derby was because of the opportunity they presented for a longer term deal.
"And also, from a family point of view, I think the Midlands suited him.
"We absolutely wanted Darren and we would have been really happy to have taken him."
Original article