Saido Berahino is NOT for sale, say West Bromwich Albion
Albion have assured fans that rising England star Saido Berahino is going nowhere – and have started talks to offer him a new contract.
The 21-year-old hotshot is the talk of the Premier League after becoming the top-scoring Englishman and being fast-tracked to Roy Hodgson's senior squad.
Berahino's goals and form have triggered intense speculation about the striker's future.
Albion have become irritated by the wild speculation linking their prize asset with other clubs in recent days.
The Baggies have nurtured The Burrundi-born academy graduate since he first arrived at the club as an 11-year-old.
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And the chairman Jeremy Peace stressed he sees the striker's immediate future at The Hawthorns.
He also confirms that talks have recently begun about Berahino, who is contracted for another three years at Albion, extending his current deal.
"I wish to assure our supporters Saido Berahino will not be going anywhere in January or, I hope, next summer," said Peace.
"It's not in our minds at all to trade a footballer the club has worked so diligently to develop.
"He is contracted to play for West Bromwich Albion until at least the summer of 2017 and we are happy to sit down with him and discuss extending that commitment on terms which recognise his continuing improvement as a footballer and his growing importance to our own plans.
"We have begun that process by opening preliminary talks with Saido's representatives.
"We are delighted that this development has now taken him all the way to the senior England squad.
"This reflects proudly on our club and the efforts of all the staff who have played such a key role in Saido's progress since he arrived here as an 11-year-old.
"However, it seems to have also generated unwarranted and excitable speculation about his future - which I wish to stress remains very firmly aligned to this football club."
Berahino's goals for Albion and England Under-21s earned him a first call-up for the senior squad for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley on Saturday and Tuesday's friendly against Scotland at Celtic Park.
