SAIDO IS TOP OF SPURS’ JANUARY HIT LIST
MAURiCiO POCHETTINO yesterday admitted that Tottenham will try to sign a back-up striker for Harry Kane and West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino fits the bill. West Brom rejected four bids from Tottenham during the summer, including a £23million offer on deadline day, as the transfer saga ended with Berahino reluctantly staying at The Hawthorns.
The 22-year-old threatened to go on strike in a furious Twitter post aimed at chairman Jeremy Peace after his move to White Hart Lane collapsed, but Tottenham could try again when the transfer window opens next month.
When asked about Berahino yesterday, Pochettino gave a wry smile, and insisted: ‘We never speak in public about another club’s player. We need to show respect. Of course we are interested in different players — that is our job.
‘i’m very happy with my squad but always in every position you can improve. We have offensive players who can play like Harry. There is Son ( Heung- min) or (Nacer) Chadli or Clinton (N’Jie) — they can play like a striker.
‘But maybe it’s true. i recognise they are not specifically strikers so maybe we will work to try to find such a player who we can add in the next transfer window or in the summer to try to help the team. We are trying to follow players now but it is very difficult. it is important we find someone who is very specific.’
Wider interest in Berahino prompted West Brom board member Richard Garlick to yesterday declare him not for sale, though the club are bracing themselves for bids with Spurs, who visit Albion tomorrow, among those circling.
And Garlick admitted the club are powerless to stop a bidding war for their prized asset. ‘We can’t stop people if they want to bid, that is up to them. The jungle drums are not sounding,’ he said. ‘There is always going to be speculation in the press but we have not had any discussions or been approached. The club’s position remains unchanged. He is not a player who we have identified as one we want to move on.’ Meanwhile,Meanw Pochettino revealed one player who could leave WhiteWh Hart Lane in January is Andros Townsend after thet winger was seemingly demotedd to Tottenham’s Under 21 squad last week.
The Spurs boss insists heh did not banish TownsendT to play with theth youngsters and claims it wwas the 24-year-old’s own decisiondecis to represent the Under 21s2 in the 2-1 win at Middlesbrough on Monday.
Townsend was involved in a bustup with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner as he warmed down after not getting on in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa last month and Pochettino admitted his future could be ‘at another club’, with Newcastle and Sunderland believed to be interested. ‘it’s not an issue with Andros,’ Pochettino said. ‘He was on the bench in some games and was out of the squad against Chelsea and he asked to play for the Under 21s against Middlesbrough. He asked to play. it’s a very good thing because the player was out and didn’t play for many weeks and it was a good opportunity.
‘For me it’s a very good attitude to want to play for the Under 21s and keep working hard and keep his physical levels and condition up.’
Asked if Townsend was training with the first-team squad again, Pochettino said: ‘yes, it’s like other players. Has he learned his lesson? yes. it’s not an issue. He’s still young and he has a big future in football, here or at another club. Always you need to learn in football.’
Despite Pochettino insisting he was not punishing Townsend, the midfielder is not expected to feature in the squad at West Brom tomorrow.
Another player who will not be making the trip to The Hawthorns is Ryan Mason. The 24-year- old midfielder sustained an ankle injury against Chelsea last Sunday and is expected to be out for around two weeks. Nabil Bentaleb (foot) and Nacer Chadli (ankle) are both close to recovery but a return against Monaco in Spurs’ final Europa League group stage clash next Thursday is more likely.