Pulis insists WBA want to keep £18m Newcastle target Berahino
Saido Berahino: Linked with move to Newcastle
West Brom boss Tony Pulis insisted Saido Berahino’s FA Cup absence on Tuesday night was down to a stomach bug and not reported interest from Newcastle.
Berahino was missing from Albion’s matchday squad as the Baggies progressed into the fourth round of the competition with a 1-0 success at Bristol City.
The England Under-21 striker has not started for Albion since the end of October and speculation remains rife that he could leave the club during the January transfer window.
Asked about reports of an impending £18million bid from Newcastle, Pulis said: “The first thing to say is that the valuation will be determined by the (Albion) chairman (Jeremy Peace).
“I was going to play Saido tonight but he’s not been well.
“He’s picked up a bug that (Rickie) Lambert and a few other players have had over the last few weeks, so we’ve given him a miss.
“But we want to keep Saido if we can.”