Newcastle United have upped their recruitment drive for the summer by joining the race to sign West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino. Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton have all been linked to the striker in recent weeks, and now The Sun claims the Magpies are monitoring Berahino's situation at The Hawthorns. West Brom would demand a fee of more than £20 million for the 21-year-old, which could put Newcastle off. However, if the Magpies did firm up their interest in the forward - who netted 20 goals in 45 games last season - then it would prove owner Mike Ashley's recent promise that he intends to invest significantly this summer was not just hot air. Tony Pulis is keen to hold on to the forward and has offered him a contract worth in excess of £50,000 a week in order to convince him to stay, but Berahino is yet to decide where he believes his future lies. With 10 goals in 13 England Under-21 internationals - and having been called into Roy Hodgson's senior squad without yet making his debut - Berahino is one of the hottest prospects in English football right now. The pacey forward is an exquisite finisher and his abilities on the pitch are undoubted but he has suffered from off-field problems. Berahino was suspended from driving for 12 months and given a £3,400 fine in January after admitting to a charge of drunk-driving last October. Having come up through the youth ranks at West Brom, Berahino enjoyed loan spells at Northampton Town, Brentford and Peterborough United before breaking into the Baggies first team. He has a career record of 41 goals from 114 appearances to date. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
