West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has insisted highly-rated striker Saido Berahino is not for sale amid ongoing reports linking the player with a big-money move away from the Hawthorns.
Berahino, who has bagged seven goals in 11 English Premier League appearances for Albion this season, earned his first England call-up last week and could win his first cap against Slovenia or Scotland next week.
Berahino recently suggested he may have to leave West Brom to achieve his dream of playing in the UEFA Champions League, but Pearce has revealed the 21-year-old is not going anywhere, and rightly so.
“I wish to assure our supporters that Saido Berahino will not be going anywhere in January or, I hope, next summer.
“It is not in our minds at all to trade a footballer the club has worked so diligently to develop.
“He is contracted to play for West Bromwich Albion until at least the summer of 2017 and we are happy to sit down with him and discuss extending that commitment on terms which recognise his continuing improvement as a footballer and his growing importance to our own plans.
“We have begun that process by opening preliminary talks with Saido’s representatives and are delighted that this development has now taken him all the way to the senior England squad.
“This reflects proudly on our club and the efforts of all the staff who have played such a key role in Saido’s progress since he arrived here as an 11-year-old.
“However, it seems to have also generated unwarranted and excitable speculation about his future – which I wish to stress remains very firmly aligned to this football club.”
Oscar signs new Chelsea deal
Chelsea F.C. have announced Brazil international midfielder Oscar has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.
Oscar, 23, joined the Blues from Brasileiro Série A side Internacional for a reported fee of £19.35 million in the summer of 2012 and has since established himself as one Europe’s top attacking midfielders.
“I am so happy because I love playing for Chelsea and living in England,” Oscar said. “I have enjoyed playing here for two years, and now I have five more, so I am very happy.”
Oscar has tallied four goals and two assists in 15 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season.
After 11 league fixtures, Chelsea (9-2-0) are sitting atop the Premier League with 29 points; Southampton (8-1-2) are second with 25 points; and Manchester City (6-3-2) are third with 21 points.
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