Albion blog: Sai-dough Berahin-go?
All summer long we have seen speculation reach febrile levels concerning the sale, or potential sale, of our prized asset Saido Berahino...writes new Albion blogger Duncan Hodgkiss
Vast numbers of columns, blogs, newsfeeds and articles have been crammed with wild and unfounded reports of deals being struck, contracts agreed, discussions at advanced stages, Saido 'wanting' to go, makeweight players coming in the opposite direction etc. etc.
The main protagonists in all of this appear to be Tottenham Hotspur. It is well known they are in the hunt for striking reinforcements. It is also well known they are long term admirers of Berahino, although Pochettino himself, understandably, refuses to be drawn.
They have now firmed up their interest with an official bid that has been rejected out of hand by Jeremy Peace.
The latest 'theory' implies that the seemingly inbound Federico Fazio is being offered at a cost of £5Million as a sweetener to a potential deal.
This will enable us to lower our demands for Saido and tag on performance related payments down line. This is of course unfounded, yet does seem plausible.
I have witnessed in many responses to articles, posts and tributes on social media forums, the very lukewarm response they get. He has been quoted as wanting to progress his career and test himself at the very highest level, ultimately this cannot be achieved with us.
Others want Lennon and Townsend plus cash in makeweight deals. There aren't many that want to keep him at all costs, even for one season. It is inevitable he will move at some point. I personally think, for his sake and ours, he should spend one further full season with us under the sage tutelage of Pulis and co.
[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text= "Do you agree with Duncan?" button="Log in and start commenting"]
I picked up on a comment from Old 'Arry who mentioned the relationship between Saido and TP appears to be strained. Utter rubbish. You can gauge how Pulis feels toward keeping him by his enthusiasm and respect in every statement he releases concerning him.
He has gone on record as saying how Saido's attitude has been first class, his willingness to learn, the effort he puts into training, and the fact he shares a cup of tea with him every morning discussing his development and life in general.
He is almost guaranteed a start, has a perfect role model and someone to feed off in the shape of Rickie Lambert, will be presented with a lot more scoring opportunities, with a team designed to suit his style (eventually). I think he would be selling himself short moving to Tottenham at this stage of his career.
One further good season with us and much greater things beckon. Whatever happens, we should all be proud that he has progressed through our ranks and achieved what so many fail to do, break into the first team and become successful.
