Players’ association chief advises Berahino against West Brom strike
Players’ union chief Gordon Taylor has advised Saido Berahino against his strike threat at West Brom. The Professional Footballers’ Association has offered its help to the Baggies and Berahino following the striker’s suggestion on Twitter he was prepared to stop playing after Albion blocked a move to Tottenham on Tuesday. Chairman Jeremy […]

Players’ union chief Gordon Taylor has advised Saido Berahino against his strike threat at West Brom.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has offered its help to the Baggies and Berahino following the striker’s suggestion on Twitter he was prepared to stop playing after Albion blocked a move to Tottenham on Tuesday. Chairman Jeremy Peace rejected four bids from Spurs, two on deadline day.

Sad how i cant say exactly how the club has treated me but i can officially say i will never play Jeremy Peace.

— Saido Berahino (@SBerahino) September 1, 2015

Berahino has been given until Monday off as West Brom look to take the sting out of the situation but it is understood the England under-21 international will be disciplined.

SEE MORE: Saido Berahino’s West Brom future in doubt as transfer fails to materialize.

The 22-year-old is expected to hold talks with head coach Tony Pulis on his return and Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, wants the matter resolved without any further issues. He told Press Association Sport:

“Players know if they come to the end of a contract they have that right to move but if it’s during a contract there are other factors involved and it can’t be taken for granted. It’s always better for players to be playing.

“Things can be said in the heat of the moment and contracts work both ways but players need to play and keep fit. The average career is eight years and the biggest worry for any player is to be injured and not be able to play. Hopefully he has an international future as well, so just for the sake of the lad as well as the club we’re hopeful it can be resolved.

“Young men are young men and sometimes things are said which are regretted.

“We’re in a world of social media and a lot of our young players are expected to have old heads on young shoulders and sometimes can let off steam. People get disappointed and sometimes things are done that, on reflection, wouldn’t be out in the public domain and we’re hoping that situation will be understood.

“We have approached the club, we have dealt with them on similar issues in the past, and offered to help resolve the matter, both for the club’s sake and the player’s sake. We’re available to help resolve matters if needed but I’m hoping we won’t be.”

Taylor believes Berahino can be reintegrated into the Albion squad after being left out for their last three matches by Pulis.

He said: “I hope so, sometimes that’s not always possible but for the most part it is.

“It’s a good experienced manager and a good young player. Maybe because it’s a time with the international fixtures we’re hoping matters can get resolved, everyone moves on and accepts things have not gone as everyone wanted but everybody is still alive and kicking.”

Albion instantly rejected Tottenham’s two bids on Tuesday. Those believed to only be marginally better than the North London club’s second offer, made last month, which would have only risen to £21 million with clauses and add-ons.

Press Association Sport understands the Baggies are unhappy with Spurs’ approach to the deal, which only strengthened their resolve to keep Berahino, who scored 20 goals last term.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy spoke about the club’s own transfer dealings in a statement issued on their official website – and signed off with a thinly-veiled message about the Berahino offer.

“We have never, as a club, spoken about another team’s players and I am not about to do so now. However, I do want to make a few general points regarding transfers.

“Firstly, there is hardly a transfer concluded across Europe which doesn’t include staged payments. This is particularly so when significant amounts such as £20 million-£30 million are involved – players don’t come cheaply these days.

“Secondly, we do not make anything personal. None of the proposals, discussions or negotiations we undertake involve any personal elements or ego – everything we do is in the interest of what is best for our Club.

“Thirdly, we never make anything public, particularly in the best interests of the players involved. Making aspects such as transfer requests public is wholly disrespectful to a player.”