West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has gone on record to put an end to speculation that Saido Berahino will leave the Hawthorns before the end of the transfer window.
The striker is 1/4 be a Tottenham player when the deadline passes, while it’s 11/4 he remains on the Baggies’ books.
Peace told wba.co.uk:
“As I have made clear from the moment Tottenham lodged their first bid for Saido on August 18, selling our top goalscorer was never on our agenda this summer.
“Our plans have always been based on Saido being part of our squad for the 2015-16 season.”
Yet is it possible the Baggies have been rash in rejecting a second Spurs bid reportedly worth £22m, even if that sum was complicated by numerous instalments, clauses and contingencies?
Berahino bagged 20 goals in 45 appearances last term including 14 league strikes in 38 appearances (four of which were penalties), an admirable total for a young player in a struggling team.
Yet despite being 22, prolific and English, not one of the top-flight’s Champions League-frequenting elite have been credited with an interest in his services.
Such a lack of admiration suggests that the talent spotters of the crème de la crème think he is worth far less than the Lilywhites were willing to pay for him.
Having abandoned contract dealings with him during the 2014/15 campaign, Berahino’s current deal at the Hawthorns runs out in 2017, meaning he will be inside it’s final year come the end of the season.
This all but guarantees the Throstles will not be able to command anything like the same amount for him in future.
If he stays and shines he is likely to leave for what will be a bargain price. If he fails to fulfil his potential such a windfall will never come around again.
