Saido Berahino has admitted that he would ‘jump’ at the chance to re-join West Bromwich Albion one day in the future after rediscovering some semblance of form on loan at Zulte Waregam, while speaking to the Counter Attack podcast.
It feels a long time ago now that the Burundi-born forward was making waves in the Midlands, establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in English football.
While Ravel Morrison is often held up as the prime example of an uber-talented young footballer failing to live up to his potential, the rise and fall Berahino is another cautionary tale for a fresh-faced prospect with the world at his feet.
Five years ago, the West Brom academy graduate was celebrating a superb, 20-goal breakthrough season at The Hawthorns.
These days, he finds himself stuck at a mid-table Belgian outfit after an ill-fated spell at Stoke City beset by off-field issues and a staggering 913 day goal-drought.
But, with Berahino now fit and firing again, a return to where it all began would be too good to turn down.
“If West Brom came back in for me, I would jump back – 100 per cent,” said the one-time England hopeful, after hitting the back of the net eight times for Zulte Waregam.
“I support West Brom, I follow their games. My friend (Romaine Sawyers) plays for them. If they came back for me 100 per cent I would go back.”
With Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore struggling for consistency, do not rule out the prospect of West Brom entering the market for a new striker this summer. But Berahino needs to do a lot more than score eight times in 26 games for Zulte Waregam before he proves he is worthy of a fresh start.
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