Exclusive: West Brom line up Charlie Austin to replace Tottenham target Saido Berahino

QPR striker Charlie Austin is in line to replace West Brom's Saido Berahino if he moves to Tottenham

WEST BROM have lined up Charlie Austin as a replacement for Saido Berahino if the striker completes a £25m switch to Tottenham.

 

Albion rejected a fresh offer of around £19m for the England Under-21 striker yesterday after previously rejecting a £15m bid from the North London club last week.

Hawthorns chairman Jeremy Peace issued a swift public statement following the fresh approach which came a day after Berahino had seen a formal transfer request rejected.

 

Our position remains unchanged," said Peace. "The sale of this player is not on our agenda."

But Spurs are determined to get their man after chasing Berahino all summer - and Albion are preparing to replace him.

 

Berahino now appears to have played his final game in West Brom colours after boss Tony Pulis suggested he was not in a fit state to play in the 3-2 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.

Spurs are now expected to raise their offer to around £25m, with manager Mauricio Pochettino desperate to pair him with Harry Kane at White Hart Lane, and it appears to be a question of when rather than if the deal goes through.

Pulis is a fan of Austin, and West Brom are ready to make a move if Berahino does force his way out.

Austin has been linked with a hatful of clubs this summer after QPR's relegation, but Leicester's £10m bid is the only one on the table.

 

Crystal Palace are still interested and will provide competition for Albion for Austin, who is rated by Rangers at £15m.

Tottenham are also lining up a £15m move for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, while Inter Milan have made a bid to take winger Erik Lamela on a season-long loan.

Lamela cost Spurs £30million from Roma in 2013, but the Argentine has failed to produce his best form in the Premier League.

Inter are in talks over a loan deal worth around £4m for the season, with £10m to follow in a permanent agreement next summer.

Tottenham are keen on an outright sale, and are set to reject Inter's offer.