So after a fine start to the season, West Bromwich Albion’s (WBA) scoring sensation Saido Berahino has been linked with moves to both Liverpool and Tottenham. According to the press West Brom’s valuation of their player is a whopping £25m!

Is Berahino really worth that much? 

Well firstly a player is only worth what the selling team is willing to sell him for. Then you have to wait for a buyer to match that price tag. So if WBA are adamant that they want that figure and a team then offer them £25m, then he’s obviously worth it in the eyes of the moneymen who matter most. (Supposedly Spurs believe he’s worth around £15m.)

You have to factor in his age. Saido is only twenty-one years old and has bundles of potential (only Alan Shearer & Franny Jeffers scored more for England’s u21s). His form this season has been wonderful with seven English Premier League (EPL) goals in nine appearances, only Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero have scored more this term. That sort of form from a striker always has top teams foaming at the mouth, even if they don’t necessarily need a forward. So an in-form EPL striker always sees a spike in their value, when the goals are flooding in.

The fact he’s English and already established as a Premier League striker adds to the cost. You always seem to pay premium prices on English league talent. Just look at the Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale world record deals. For a youngster doing well with a smaller EPL side there are plenty of expensive examples; Andy Carroll (£35m), Phil Jones (£16.5m-£20m), Jordan Henderson (£18m) and Luke Shaw (£30m). All in all they probably pay between £5m and £10m extra just based on their passport and which league they play in. The fact is teams firmly established in the EPL get huge amounts of cash from TV revenue and sponsorship, so don’t need to accept every offer that comes there way.

It can’t be forgotten that Saido also has a fine skill set too. He’s more comfortable playing through the middle although he can operate on the right wing. His finishes are composed and instinctive, he’s also confident enough to take the set-pieces. Berahino also possesses a decent turn of pace and his runs can also create space for teammates to run into.

I doubt WBA would really only do business for £25m. A figure in between their £25m and Spurs £15m valuation would be more likely in my opinion.

I can definitely see why Liverpool and Tottenham would be interested in Saido Berahino, especially when you look at his form and their strikers inability to consistently score at the moment. But for the player, I think he’d be better rejecting any overtures this winter as I still think he’s better off remaining at the Hawthorns.

Why?

Simple, he still needs to get a full season consistently scoring under his belt. He also started well last season but then faded away at the turn of the year. A lot of that was down to Steve Clarke’s sacking and Pepe Mel coming in. New boss Alan Irvine has managed to get Saido playing with confidence again and its helped his form no end. Also the striker has more chance of playing first team football week-in week-out at the Baggies. At Anfield or White Hart Lane he can easily be dropped for little to no reason at all.

I think his next big ambition should be getting into the senior England squad. If I was Roy Hodgson I’d select him for the international fixtures in November against Slovenia and Scotland and see how he copes in that enviroment. Then see how he gets on in next summers u21 European Championships.

So is he worth £25m? Not in my opinion but after WBA paid £7m for Victor Anichebe I am no longer surprised by any transfer fee. I am sure he could be a decent signing for £18m. But for the players sake, I hope he doesn’t rush into any move!

 

Posted on October 26th, 2014 by scott
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