Yahoo News Saido Berahino makes 'play for free' West Brom claim and reveals Tottenham transfer regret
Saido Berahino says if it were possible, he would would return to West Bromwich Albion without being paid a wage to do so.
The striker, 30, joined West Brom at Under-12s level and progressed through to the point of signing a first professional contract at the age of 17. Loan experience at the lower levels gave him a foothold to jump into the Premier League, where he became an instant hit.
A first consistent starting berth for the Baggies was rewarded in the 2013/14 campaign, when he scored that memorable winner at Old Trafford against Manchester United. A year later 20 goals in all competitions, and the Burundi-born star was becoming a firm fan favourite.
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But the honeymoon period would soon come to and end as transfer whispers from North London reached Berahino. Tottenham Hotspur were in the market for a forward and all of a sudden all the striker was focused on was a transfer to a 'bigger club'.
Relationships broke down with people at the club, he was put up for sale and his form tailed off - this was the disappointing turning point in a promising career. Eventually he was allowed to join Stoke City for £12m in 2017, and he has since spent time in Belgium, with Sheffield Wednesday and currently with Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol - but with nowhere near the same potency as those formative years at the Hawthorns.
Berahino certainly regrets those actions that sparked the end of his West Midlands love affair. Prompting a Q & A session on X, he explained that he would rejoin his former side in a heartbeat and without a salary if it came to it.
Another fan asked directly: "Any regrets on how things ended at West Brom?" The striker responded: "Who has no regrets in life!!"
He also admitted to never being told the full story of why Albion would not sanction a move to Spurs, and finally explained that as much as he would love to return to the Hawthorns to watch Sunday's Championship play-off first leg against Southampton, he has his wedding to prepare for.
