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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there’s an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of distrust in science
In the Spotlight Science and politics do not seem to mix
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The Nutcracker: English National Ballet's reboot restores 'festive sparkle'
The Week Recommends Long-overdue revamp of Tchaikovsky's ballet is 'fun, cohesive and astoundingly pretty'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated