Tottenham may save 12 million pounds by waiting to sign striker

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 during the Emirates FA Cup match between West Bromwich Albion and Peterborough United at The Hawthorns on January 30, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Adam Fradgley - AMA/WBA FC via Getty Imagees)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 during the Emirates FA Cup match between West Bromwich Albion and Peterborough United at The Hawthorns on January 30, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Adam Fradgley - AMA/WBA FC via Getty Imagees) /
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Tottenham may be able to purchase Saido Berahino for just 12 million pounds

Patience may turn out to be more than a virtue when it comes to Tottenham’s pursuit of West Brom striker Saido Berahino. It might also prove to be quite profitable.

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The Daily Mail reports that Spurs may be able to secure Berahino’s services for a fee of around 12 million pounds. That’s a significant departure from the price of approximately 30 million pounds that West Brom was asking for in January.

The discount can mostly be attributed to the fact that Berahino will only have 12 months left on his contract at the conclusion of this season. That obviously diminishes the amount of leverage West Brom and Chairman Jeremy Peace hold in negotiations. We shouldn’t be surprised that Tottenham and Daniel Levy have held out for a better deal.

Berahino’s arrival will strengthen Tottenham’s striking corps greatly. The team has walked a tight rope by relying on Harry Kane to be their only senior striker for much of the season. The arrival of the English U21 international will provide manager Mauricio Pochettino a great deal of attacking flexibility. He can deploy Berahino both in place and alongside Kane in certain lineups.

It’s important to note that Kane and Berahino have played together for significant stretches for the England U21s. It’s highly likely that Kane has lobbied for Berahino’s arrival. The two could build on their synergy from international play to become a feared Premier League duo.

Purchasing Berahino for 12 million pounds is likely to appeal much more to Spurs fans than the prospect of paying 30 million pounds. Many fans have concerns over Berahino’s attitude issues at West Brom. Some have even openly questioned whether or not purchasing the starlet would be akin to bringing another Emmanuel Adebayor to White Hart Lane.

While there’s a certain logic in that line of thinking, it’s an unfair conclusion to draw. Berahino is still a very young player who is learning how to be a professional. He’s endured a tough spell for West Brom but he’s started to come out of it as of late. He isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagine but he is a proven Premier League goal scorer. Getting a player with that kind of scoring record is hard enough. Purchasing one in his early 20s is even more difficult.

Related Story: Saido Berahino's form improved once his Tottenham transfer was agreed upon

Waiting to sign Saido Berahino from West Brom might cost Tottenham some points in the Premier League table down the stretch, but it’s going to save them a boat load of cash. Missing out on the West Brom starlet in January will save Spurs about 12 million pounds.