Saido Berahino reportedly turned down the contract extension offer of West Bromwich Albion which means the English striker is set to make a free transfer exit from the Hawthorns next summer.
The 22-year-old forward is said to be keen on completing his current deal with the Baggies, which is set to expire in June of next year, as he allegedly wants to avoid the complications that happened during last summer’s transfer window.
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Daily Mail Online indicated that Berahino “wants to avoid a repeat of last summer’s transfer saga between Tottenham and West Brom which ended in Berahino staying at the Hawthorns, despite the player making it clear he was keen on a switch to London”.
The 5-foot-11 Bujumbura, Burundi-born Englishman is said to be keen on making sure he can leave West Brom next season at his own power. However, the report noted that he is “ready to stay at the Hawthorns if he is not sold by the end of the month” and that he will be professional in focusing on the new season coming ahead for the Throstles.
Berahino’s rejection of a contract extension puts West Brom at a disadvantage, though, as the club could lose the young goalscorer for nothing next year if they do not decide to sell him right now or in January’s winter window.
Aside from the Spurs, unnamed football clubs from Spain and Germany are also rumored to be interested in acquiring his services. Berahino has a release clause of £20 million according to recent reports.
Meanwhile, Caught Offside reported that the leading destinations for Berahino would be Watford and Stoke City if ever West Brom decides to sell him and not wait for the striker to become a free agent next summer.
The two Premier League squads are said to be trying to negotiate with Albion chairman Jeremy Peace, but the senior official is not keen on making a deal for Berahino as of the moment.
Tottenham has allegedly given up on trying to get the striker as they have now placed their attention on AZ Alkmaar forward Vincent Janssen as the potential scoring partner of Harry Kane.
Berahino had performed poorly last season, scoring only four goals in 28 appearances in the English top flight, and rumors abound that it was caused by his ongoing rift with Peace.
