West Brom offer Saido Berahino bumper new four-year contract
West Brom have offered in-demand striker Saido Berahino a new bumper four-year contract in an attempt to safeguard their most valuable player.
The Baggies have promised to increase the 22-year-old's current salary of £15,000-a-week to a reported £65,000-a-week, making him the highest paid player at the club.
The 22-year-old, who has just one year left on his contract, has attracted interest from Stoke and Watford this summer but neither club have yet matched chairman Jeremy Peace's valuation.
Albion would receive compensation if Berahino left on a free at the end of next season but it would be nowhere near as much as Peace is after.
In order to squeeze the full value out of him, the Baggies have offered the academy product a huge new deal which includes a release clause north of £20million that Peace would be willing to sell for.
Although the primary objective is to stop the striker leaving on the cheap, there is also a growing feeling among the club's hierarchy that he could stay for next season.
Albion wanted to revamp the attacking forces at the club this summer and were initially willing to sell Berahino, but they are finding it difficult to entice new strikers to The Hawthorns.
Top target Diafra Sakho has handed in a transfer request at West Ham but Sunderland are still favourites to sign the 26-year-old.
Selling Berahino would leave Salomon Rondon dangerously exposed up front with just 34-year-old Rickie Lambert as cover.
Instead of moving on the 22-year-old and gambling on a replacement, Albion are now keen to offer the former exiled striker a shot at redemption.
Earlier this summer, technical director Nick Hammond said: "I like him a lot and think he's a top player.
"I told him clearly I'd love him to be at the football club next season. He's a very talented individual, he's a good age, he's a home-grown academy player.
"He's the type of player I'd love to be here next year."
Berahino was left frustrated last season and it's believed he is eager to leave The Hawthorns this summer.
Although he is yet to respond to the offer, he may sign the deal if he sees Watford and Stoke as sideways moves.
