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Tottenham Hotspur Links: West Brom Won’t Sell Saido Berahino

By Alexander Balano

Saido Berahino (3 July 2012, 18:16:17) -- Flickr: U-19 Croatia vs England via Catherine Kõrtsmik
Saido Berahino (3 July 2012, 18:16:17) -- Flickr: U-19 Croatia vs England via Catherine Kõrtsmik /
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Here’s the Tottenham Hotspur Links for the day.

With a transfer rumors related edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links, it’s about two players once again — Andros Townsend and Saido Berahino. The first story is about West Brom not selling Saido Berahino. Which sounds good but it doesn’t mean much if the Baggies’ Director of Football, Richard Garlick, manager Tony Pulis and chairman Jeremy Peace can’t keep their words in not selling the 22-year-old striker.

The next story is Andros Townsend and Sunderland. The Black Cats had been rumored to the 24-year-old English international but manager Sam Allardyce has all but ruled out a potential move. And lastly, there’s a quick Tottenham injury news round-up ahead of Sunday’s trip to The Hawthorns in Birmingham. It’s time to get to the links.

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The Baggies are steadfast on not selling their £20 million-rated striker, Saido Berahino. So far they kept to their word this summer after Tottenham sent in four bids that all failed. Well the winter transfer window is soon approaching in a matter of weeks and West Bromwich Albion’s Director of Football, Richard Garlick had this to say regarding the club’s stance on Berahino and not selling him still:

“The club’s position remains unchanged. We can’t stop people if they want to bid, that is up to them. But he is not a player we have identified as one we want to move on. The jungle drums are not sounding. There is always going to be speculation in the press, but we have not had any discussions or been approached.”

Now even if Richard Garlick made it very obvious — West Brom won’t sell Saido Berahino, period — if they get enough money from the big European clubs, will they still reject it? Right now Berahino has made 11 appearances in the Premier League with only three goals scored. Clearly he’s still regarded as a starter, as he’s started eight games and only been subbed in three times, but his numbers shows, right now, that he’s not in the right state of mind.

As for Spurs and the striker position. It’s time to move on from Saido Berahino and look for a different striker either in the Premier League or in the Championship and below for starters. Or at another league around the world.

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Sunderland won’t be targeting Andros Townsend on a loan deal because it’s not possible. The reason being is due to Premier League regulations over loan players. Ross Gregory of the Sunderland Echo writes:

“The rules state that you can only have one player on loan from another Premier League club at one time, and with Yedlin on loan at Sunderland until the end of the season, the Black Cats are unable to sign anyone else from Spurs on a temporary basis.”

Of course if the Black Cats were interested in signing the 24-year-old winger, Sunderland could try to sign Andros Townsend on a permanent deal. Except that’s a risky proposition to make as Townsend hasn’t gotten any first team minutes since Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to R.S.C. Anderlecht in the Europa League on October 22. In general, Townsend’s last competitive match was a 2-1 over Middlesbrough’s Under-21 team in the Under-21 Premier League.

A lack of playing time recently for Andros Townsend, even though he’s been restored to the first team, could be a clear indication that he’s no longer a part of the offense. Once January comes, Townsend will surely be gone as he wants to get regular playing time ahead of the Euros next summer.

During last Sunday’s game against Chelsea, Ryan Mason suffered an injury but it wasn’t clear what it was: his ankle or his knee. After being spotted leaving White Hart Lane with a protective boot it seems clear that Mason has an ankle injury. Another setback will sideline the 24-year-old for at least a month thinning out Tottenham’s central midfield position by one player.

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As for Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli, they’re close to returning which will help boost the team’s depth at defensive midfield and left midfield, respectively. Bentaleb could also cover at central midfield in a pinch as well if need be. Therefore Dele Alli has backup in the form of Mousa Dembélé, Tom Carroll and now Bentaleb.

And as usual, Alex Pritchard remains out until January as he’s still rehabbing his ankle. It will be interesting to see what Tottenham does with Pritchard once he’s fit to play again. Do they loan him out to a team to get some minutes, or do they put him with their second team instead? Next season Mauricio Pochettino will most likely revisit Pritchard’s position and see where he fits in the starting eleven.