Tony Pulis admits every player in his West Bromwich Albion squad is for sale, but he won’t consider any offers which fall below their valuation.
As with the summer transfer window, there has been much speculation this month over the future of Saido Berahino. Tottenham Hotspur made advances for his signature ahead of the current season but refused to meet the asking price of around £20million, and whilst they remain keen, they are unlikely to do so now given the striker’s turbulent campaign at the Hawthorns.
The 22-year-old was said to be disappointed at his employer’s refusal to let him move to White Hart Lane in the summer, and as a result his attitude for the Baggies has been questioned. The former England Under-21 international, who has been called up to the senior squad twice yet remains uncapped, has scored just three times in the Premier League this term.
Chelsea, Leicester City and Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in the Burundi-born frontman, as they too look for attacking reinforcements. Speaking ahead of the visit to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Pulis admits that every player in his squad is available for the right price, but they will not consider any bids which fall below their value of a player.
“Every player is for sale if the price is right and if the club deem it to be right. The chairman will be the one who controls that and the chairman will decide that,” said Pulis “It’s the chairman’s football club and financially he has always controlled it in a way that he has thought is the best way for West Bromwich Albion. He will control anything that happens with Saido.
“The problem is we have this window every six months and speculation just hangs around. Last year was a big disappointment for him, the club didn’t want to sell him. Saido would’ve gone, so that was a big knock and it did take its toll. He was getting back and then the window opens and the speculation begins again. We have to deal with it and the lad has to deal with.”
When fit and firing, Berahino is amongst the brightest attacking talents in the country. He scored 10 times in 11 caps for the under-21 side, and he has been tipped to transform this form to the senior side. However, time is running out for him to make Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016, and the uncertainly over his club future is certainly not helping his cause.
