Levy defends Tottenham over Berahino pursuit
Saido Berahino: West Brom unlikely to sell Tottenham and Newcastle target
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has defended the club’s pursuit of West Brom striker Saido Berahino.
Spurs had four bids rejected for the 22-year-old striker, but West Brom’s failure to accept an offer led to the England Under-21 man declaring on social media that he would never play for Albion chairman Jeremy Peace again.
However, Levy has now responded to those comments and said Spurs never seek to make transfer dealings ‘personal’.
“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,” Levy said on the club’s official website.
“Firstly, there is hardly a transfer concluded across Europe which doesn’t include staged payments. This is particularly so when significant amounts such as £20m-£30m 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.
“Our pragmatic player trading has been important in the way we have run the business of the club and in getting us to the position where we have now been able to start work on a new stadium – the one thing that has the ability to take this club to the next level of competitiveness.
“I make no apologies for being ambitious for our club and looking to deliver future success for our fans.”