Berahi-no! Albion reject plea to quit

The Baggies rejected Berahino's bid to force through a move to Tottenham yesterday after the 22-year-old stunned the club with a written request to leave.

And chairman Jeremy Peace is intent on digging his heels in over the club's £25m asking price – although he is anxious to avoid the saga dragging on until transfer deadline day next Tuesday. Albion, who were last night closing in on a deal to sign Manchester United defender Jonny Evans that could allow Joleon Lescott to leave for Villa, rejected a £15m opening offer for Berahino from Tottenham last week.

They were still awaiting Spurs' expected second bid last night but Peace is adamant he will not sell cheaply.

He is likely to urge the London club to meet Albion's valuation and to act quickly, with the Baggies conscious they will need to replace Berahino should Spurs come up with the cash.

Peace admitted last week he could "never say never" over Berahino's departure but insisted selling the former England Under-21s star was not on Albion's agenda.

And yesterday's club statement read: "The request has been rejected and the club's position remains unchanged from that outlined in the statement from chairman Jeremy Peace of August 18."

That came as captain Darren Fletcher admitted Berahino's team-mates would not begrudge the striker a move for the right price.

Fletcher said: "

For us, if he gets his move and leaves we will send him our best wishes and if not he's a fantastic player who is well-liked in the dressing room and will be a great player for us this season."

Meanwhile, the Baggies are making progress on a deal to sign Evans while they hope to land Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall in the next few day