One of West Bromwich Albion’s biggest transfer sagas over the years was with Saido Berahino. The striker came through the ranks at the Hawthorns and made a fine name for himself in his first two seasons with the senior side.
In the 2013/14 season, Berahino scored nine goals in 14 starts for the club. He became the club’s first-choice striker in the following season, and was directly involved in 26 goals in all competitions. He won the club’s Player of the Year award at the end of that campaign, and attracted attention from a few top clubs.
Sadly for him, West Brom refused to let him leave. That caused huge problems for the striker behind the scenes, and he managed just seven goals for the club in the next 18 months.
He joined Stoke City in January 2017, but his move there proved to be underwhelming too. After two and a half years there, his contract was terminated, and he joined Belgian side Zulte Waregem in 2019.
Berahino dreams of a return to West Brom
Berahino has spoken about his time at West Brom now. Despite all the problems he faced in his career there, he has nothing but good things to say. The 27-year-old even admitted that he would jump at the opportunity of a return to the Hawthorns, but that is unlikely now.
He told DH: “That’s where everything started for me. Even today, I watch all their games on the TV. If I have the possibility of returning there, I won’t even think and I’ll speed there. At the time, I was young and through I could manage to do it on talent alone.”
“My former manager, Steve Clarke, played an important role in my development by pushing me to work hard and make efforts for the team. He helped me open my eyes on the world of professional football.”
Berahino has been loaned out to fellow Belgian side RSC Charleroi for the remainder of this season. He has scored 11 goals and has provided 4 assists in 31 appearances in Belgium since the start of last term, but a return to the Premier League looks almost impossible now.
West Brom are back in the top flight and it would be a massive shock to see them make a move for their former prodigy. However, stranger things have happened in football, and Berahino is hoping for some luck to swing his way after years of disappointment.
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