Tottenham ready to use Andros Townsend in deal to sign frustrated West Brom striker Saido Berahino in January

Tottenham still keen on Saido Berahino despite fractured start to the season
Andros Tottenham could be included in deal though West Brom are reluctant
There is a feeling that Berahino’s weight is an issue given his lack of football
Tony Pulis said Berahino was ‘lucky to be on the bench’ against Newcastle
Dave Kemp, Pulis’s assistant, said that Berahino had wasted half a season

Published:
22:30 GMT, 29 December 2015

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Updated:
01:54 GMT, 30 December 2015

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Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to include Andros Townsend in their bid for Saido Berahino once the January transfer window opens, despite the striker’s fractured start to the season.

Townsend is valued at £14million by Spurs, who failed with four bids for Berahino in the summer, the last totalling £23million including add-ons. West Brom rejected that offer instantly and are reluctant to examine a player-swap deal but Tony Pulis does want to add speed and width to his team.

Tottenham remain interested in Berahino, even amid stern criticism from Pulis for his failure to adopt a team mentality following the failed move to White Hart Lane. There is also a feeling that the 22-year-old’s weight is an issue given his absence from regular football.

Tottenham are still interested in signing Saido Berahino despite his fractured start to the season

Andros Towsend may be included in a deal as Spurs look to lure the West Brom striker to north London

Townsend was active on Twitter on Tuesday night and hinted he needed a move from Spurs

Pulis said Berahino was ‘lucky to be on the bench’ against Newcastle United, adding: ‘Saido’s had almost five months where he’s not got himself prepared to play in the team.’

Berahino is understood to be on his own fitness regime to build his muscles and recently asked to play in two Under-21s games to boost his sharpness after missing out on first-team action.

But he is viewed within the club as possessing a physique that struggles to stay trim without maximum effort in training sessions and that is also thought to have frustrated Pulis. He appeared visibly larger when playing against Newcastle.

Berahino, who threatened to go on strike after failing to secure his move to White Hart Lane, has been named a substitute in the past eight Premier League games, coming on for a total of 91 minutes in that period. He has not scored since October 17 and has three goals in total, having netted 20 times last season.

Berahino started on the bench against Newcastle as he continues to be a bit-part player

Dave Kemp, Pulis’s assistant, said on Tuesday that Berahino had wasted half a season. ‘He has allowed (the failed transfer) to shift his focus,’ Kemp told talkSPORT. ‘He has wasted half a season of his career and you can’t get that back. If you drop away not so good things happen.

‘Football is a team game – it’s not about an individual. You have to respect your team-mates and especially the fans.

‘It’s a missed opportunity. He could have gone onto another level because he was in the England squad a year ago. He has to get back to playing to his potential.

‘Let’s be honest if he’d played as well this season as he did in the past he would probably have had his pick of any team in Europe.’