The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Arsène Wenger may be mulling over a January bid to bring West Bromwich Albion’s England Under 21 star Saido Berahino to the Emirates.

The 20-year-old striker, who was born in Burundi, has caught the eye with his recent performances.

He scored a hat trick on his WBA debut against Newport County in the Capital One Cup, came off the bench to hit the winner in the Baggies’ victory over Manchester United in September, and has netted twice in three outings for the national Under 21 side.

Ironically Berahino started his first Premier League game for West Brom in last weekend’s draw with the Gunners.

Although the youngster’s contract expires at the end of this season, Albion have an option to extend the deal for a further year, and the club is already in contract talks with the forward whose existing deal sees him earn a modest basic weekly wage of £850.

Albion hope to conclude those discussions and retain Berahino’s services for the foreseeable future, but will inevitably be concerned about interest in another of the club’s most talented youngsters from a club of Arsenal’s stature, having recently lost the highly rated 16-year-old midfielder Isaiah Brown to Chelsea.

The West Brom manager Steve Clarke is quoted as saying:

“He’s under contract with West Brom until the end of next season, so we’ve got plenty of time to sort out Saido’s future.

He’s a sensible boy. He understands that all the rewards and riches come with hard work and he has to just concentrate on his football and let other people worry about his contract situation and whatever.

Saido has got a big future in the game and all he can do now is work hard and make sure he is still a top player in ten years’ time.”

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