Arsenal and Man City face £15m Berahino snub
Striker Saido Berahino set to reject overtures from the Premier League big boys and stick with Baggies
There can be few things more humiliating for the preening big boys of the Premier League than being blown out by the Baggies but that's the prospect staring Arsenal and Manchester City in the face.
According to the Daily Star West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino will "reject the advances" of the Gunners and the Sky Blues. Described by the Star as one of the Premier League's hottest prospects, the 21-year-old Burundi-born netbuster has caught the eye with a string of stirring displays in recent months.
But when Baggies manager Alan Irvine was asked if the club would be prepared to sell their prize asset, he retorted: "I think Saido has the maturity to realise if he keeps doing what he does he will make progress here and all sorts of things will open up." The Star says WBA have slapped a £15m price tag on young frontman and the club may "find themselves fending off interest" come the new year. "There's a bit of time to go between now and then, but if he continues to do what he is doing other clubs will come in and test the water," admitted Irvine.
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Meanwhile, Talksport says that Arsenal may have to "splash out £65m" to grab hold of Goncalo Guedes. The 17-year-old Benfica star has reportedly been scouted by the Gunners but AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund have also been seen sniffing around the teenage striker. As a result, say Talksport, Benfica have inserted a £65m release clause in Guedes' contract which the website describes as a potential "stumbling block for any bidding suitors".
In other news Metro reports that Manchester United are determined to pip Liverpool to the hand of Victor Valdes after offering the veteran gloveman "the chance to prove his fitness" at Old Trafford. Currently seeking gainful employment after leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, the 32-year-old Valdes has been recovering from a knee injury and is a free agent despite interest from Liverpool and also French outfit Monaco.
The Reds have been dithering over a move for Valdes and that might prove fatal according to Metro, which claims United boss Louis van Gaal has given the Spaniard the chance to prove his worth at Old Trafford. A statement posted on the club's website explained that Valdes "will have his recovery supervised by the United medical staff before training with the first team, as he bids to regain full fitness".
Meanwhile the man who put a huge dent in Manchester City's Champions league aspirations on Tuesday night is being chased by two of the Sky Blues' Premier League rivals. CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia scored one and made the other goal in the Russian side's 2-2 draw with City, a performance that only strengthened the interest of Newcastle and Everton. According to the Daily Express both clubs want to sign the 26-year-old in January but the paper says Newcastle are favourites after Russian media reported that Magpies gaffer Alan Pardew is "ready to make the former Ivory Coast international a lucrative offer".
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