Express & Star

Blog: It's time Albion sold Saido Berahino

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We are in November and already speculation is reaching fever pitch concerning West Brom's prize asset Saido Berahino, writes blogger Duncan Hodgkiss.

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Alongside Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle, we are now led to believe Chelsea are ready to part with £20million plus for his services.

Personally, I would like to see him sold and as early as possible. Let's not once again become embroiled in the media circus we were subjected to in the summer.

Whilst it provides high drama and excitement for the deadline day Sky Sports News viewer, as Jim White reels off his repertoire of punchy catchphrases, it does little good for dressing room spirit and club stability.

Another two months of wrangling and speculation like we saw in the summer could seriously derail our season. The ridiculous scenario of the deadline day extending four league games into the start of the campaign comes to the fore again here.

Whilst in its current guise a mid-season window is necessary, it brings with it the kind of distractions that can make or break a club.

Why sell our prize asset? It is clear that Saido wants to move on. We've seen all the tantrums and public outbursts that suggest this.

Once a player has aspirations away from a club, it is extremely difficult to obtain the very best from him in terms of performance and effort levels.

Most of us will have been in jobs where we know we are moving on and it's human nature to ease off.

People can say all they like about professionalism and contractual obligations, and time and effort invested in development etc., but it changes nothing. Let's open the talks now, thrash out all the sticking points and get the deal done early.

We run the risk of losing out on a size-able chunk of cash if we don't sell now.

Saido is a very gifted lad and there is absolutely nothing wrong with having ambitions. He obviously wants to test himself at the very highest level, and no-one can begrudge that.

Obviously his methods to achieve his aims are questionable but let's not go over old ground.

It's time to say thanks for the memories (particularly the winner at Villa Park) and good luck for the future.

I'm sure our hard-working scouting team will have pored through countless hours of footage and scoured the globe in search of replacements.

We may not have to look that far, actually. I would be happy to see Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips in for starters.

There are question marks over Austin's previous injuries. He failed a medical at Hull in 2013 because of his knee. He also had a serious shoulder injury that would be cause for concern.

His contract is due to expire in the summer and should therefore be available for much less than his actual value. That said, we should still be expected to part with in excess of £5million to land him.

It is reported we offered in excess of £3 Million to loan Lukaku for one season. Everton apparently topped this and secured him for around £5million.

Although, in my opinion, this is crazy money, this fee in excess of £5million for Austin seems a worthwhile investment in today's market.

Pulis's seeming reluctance to utilise McManaman and Gnabry may open the door for Matt Phillips.

The money obtained from selling Berahino should be able to amply cover the fees for both Phillips and Austin, plus change.

Let's also get rid of the deadwood and continue our evolution into becoming a permanent Premier League fixture.