West Brom set for January fight to keep Berahino as Pulis lines up Austin and Phillips

WEST BROM are braced for a new fight to keep Saido Berahino - and have already lined up Matt Phillips and Charlie Austin as possible replacements.

 

Boss Tony Pulis expects fresh bids for Berahino in January after the club’s bitter fall-out with the player over his failed bid to join Tottenham.

And should be receive a cash windfall from Berahino’s sale, Pulis will move again for QPR duo Phillips and Austin.

Chelsea are the latest club to be linked with Berahino after West Brom and the striker put talks over a new contract on hold.

 

West Brom set for January fight to keep hold of Chelsea and Tottenham target Saido Berahino

Spurs are still considering another bid despite their war of words with West Brom in January while Newcastle are also keen.

Albion have yet to hear from any would-be buyers since Berahino stunned them by threatening to go on strike on the final day of the summer transfer window.

But Pulis does expect bids in January for Berahino, who has just 18 months remaining on his current contract and has given no indication he wants a new deal.

 

The Welshman has a long-standing interest in winger Phillips, 24, but refused to meet QPR’s £10m asking price in the summer.

And he also made a late enquiry about 26-year-old Austin, who is Pulis’s first-choice replacement up front if Berahino leaves.

QPR fought to keep Austin the summer but could sell in January if they feel they are out of the running for promotion back to the Premier League.

The former non-league star is out of contract at the end of the season.

West Brom will not move unless Berahino leaves after they splashed out £12m on Salomon Rondon and £3m on Rickie Lambert in August.