Express & Star

Fans' Survey: Time for West Brom to sell Saido Berahino

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Albion legend Ally Robertson reckons Saido Berahino may have wrecked his chances of a top-four move this summer – as fans gave a resounding verdict on the controversial striker.

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The Express & Star's end-of-season survey found 86 per cent of the 2,000-plus Baggies fans who took part believe the time has come for the club to cash in on their controversial star.

Berahino scored just four Premier League goals during a campaign in which he looked a shadow of the player who had finished the two previous seasons as the club's top scorer.

The 22-year-old's falling stock was demonstrated by reports yesterday which claimed Crystal Palace were preparing to bid as little as £7million for a player valued at £25million 12 months ago.

Back then, Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace turned down four bids from Tottenham, a move which prompted Berahino to threaten never to play for the club again.

Though he never carried out on the threat, former defender Robertson believes the striker's off-field actions and his subsequent poor season may have put off clubs at the top of the table.

"If I was a manager of one of the clubs at the top division I would look at some of the things he has said and done and it would put me off," said Robertson. "All of a sudden, he is not doing it on the pitch and now you are seeing clubs like Palace linked with him – they are not a bigger club than Albion. If he were to go there, it would be a sideways step."

Despite his difficult season and the fact Berahino only has one year remaining on his contract, it is believed chairman Jeremy Peace will demand upwards of £15million for a player who has been with the club since the age of eight.

Robertson, who made 626 appearances in almost two decades at The Hawthorns, also believes it may be time for Berahino to move on but reckons Albion must ensure they get the right price.

He said: "It's a tricky one, with the problems he has had, you don't quite know what he has done to his value. But £7million? He is worth more than that.

"I think he should be sold but only at the right price."