Hughes discusses Stoke’s Berahino bids and Van Persie links

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has confirmed the Potters have had two bids for Saido Berahino rejected – but was a little more coy when questioned about Robin van Persie.

Berahino, who received an England squad call-up in November 2014, has only one year left on his deal with the Baggies and last summer he expressed frustration that a move to Tottenham was blocked by his club’s hierarchy.

However, the 22-year-old may yet be offered a way out of The Hawthorns by Stoke as Hughes has stated his club have made enquiries to West Brom about landing Berahino amid reports of a £20million bid.

“He’s a player at another club so I don’t really want to comment too much but it’s fair to say we’ve put bids in that, as we stand, haven’t been accepted yet but we’re still hopeful on that one,” the Welshman said on Sky Sports News HQ.

In the 2015 summer transfer window West Brom rejected a series of offers from Tottenham for Berahino, who displayed his dismay at chairman Jeremy Peace by writing on Twitter: “I can officially say I will never play (for) Jeremy Peace.”

Though he did return to the fold, he scored just seven times last season having found the net 20 times in the previous campaign and his form and fitness were criticised by boss Tony Pulis.

Newcastle’s club-record £21million bid was rebuffed in the winter window but Pulis’ old club Stoke have now identified the former England Under-21 international as one of their prime targets as they seek attacking reinforcements.

Stoke scored only 41 times in the Premier League last term, the fewest of any clubs to finish in the top 12, and Hughes is keen to add a spearhead to function ahead of the creative talents of Bojan Krkic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic.

Van Persie to Stoke?

Former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie is another player who has been linked with a switch to Staffordshire, though Hughes was coy when the name of the 32-year-old Fenerbahce forward was put to him.

“I’ve seen speculation, there’s going to be a lot of those stories, in fairness,” Hughes said.

“Some will have a little bit of substance, some won’t. We’re looking to address key areas in the team where we feel we can improve on and if those players become available then we’re interested.”