Newcastle set to bid over £20m for Saido Berahino, say Sunday Supplement panel
Sunday 31 January 2016 15:18, UK
Newcastle are prepared to outbid Tottenham to land Saido Berahino, according to Sunday Express journalist John Richardson.
The striker made a scoring return to West Brom's starting line-up on Saturday, getting both goals in their 2-2 FA Cup draw with Peterborough at The Hawthorns.
Berahino had been out of the first XI for almost three months as a result of the fall-out after Tottenham's failed attempt to sign him in the summer.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis has spoken of his optimism at keeping the 22-year-old beyond the transfer window.
The club's stance is also that they would rather let his contract - which expires after the end of next season - run down than lose him for a cut-price fee.
In addition, Sky Sports News HQ understands Newcastle are not willing to go as high as West Brom's current valuation of the player.
Richardson, however, understands they are at least willing to pay upwards of £20m to secure his services because they see Berahino as a man who can push them up the Premier League table.
Whether he wishes to go to Tyneside is another matter though, with White Hart Lane still thought to be the England squad member's preferred destination.
Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, Richardson said: "They (Newcastle) are desperate for somebody who can put the ball in the back of the net.
"They've signed some good players but they haven't got a natural goalscorer. (Aleksandar) Mitrovic seems a decent player but he's not a natural goalscorer and could be better as an impact player
"They're desperate for someone like Berahino and for once, to be fair to Mike Ashley, he's pushing the boat out.
"He is saying: 'Whatever it costs, we will try and get him'. He spent big in the summer and again he's spent big in January, more than any other club, and they're making up for lost time.
"In the last few years, their recruitment has left a lot to be desired. The squad has been paper thin. The first XI haven't been too bad but after injuries and suspensions, they struggle.
"They are in for Berahino. They are prepared to pay over £20m for him but as we know, the player himself would prefer to end up at Tottenham.
"Spurs have been after him for the last six or seven months. They went in for him last summer and have obviously been in his ear.
"He wants to go there but I don't think Tottenham will go in with that sort of money, whereas Newcastle will.
"It's certainly 50/50 as to whether he goes to St James' Park but Newcastle desperately want a hitman who can put the icing on the cake.
"They are playing decent football but the only reason they are in the bottom three is because of the chances they've missed."
Stoke are another club who have been credited with an interest in Berahino but while as many as four clubs are thought to be keen, none have bid for him as yet.
Newcastle would have to take their January spending over £50m if they are to sign him after bringing in Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend so far this month.
But they do have other options, with Swansea's Bafetimbi Gomis and Roma's Seydou Doumbia two other strikers they are monitoring.
It still seems far from certain a move for Berahino will come off and Daily Mirror writer John Cross can envisage West Brom holding onto him for longer, despite interest in him from Newcastle and elsewhere.
He added: "West Brom are playing hard ball with Berahino. He would like Spurs without question. I don't think Berahino particularly wants to go to Newcastle.
"If that means seeing it out until the summer, then so be it. I do think we'll see a flurry of interest for Berahino.
"If he's not playing, how can West Brom justify keeping him? You've got to balance it against his worth in terms of keeping them up and his weight in goals.
"If he's not playing in the Premier League, which he's not, then aren't you devaluing him?
"The interested clubs will turn around and say: 'If you are not playing him, then how can he be worth £20m plus?' That's the argument but I do think we'll see some late interest in him."
