Liverpool ahead of Tottenham in signing West Brom star Saido Berahino in January

Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Tottenham Hotspur in signing West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino in January, according to the Daily Mail.

The north London side have struggled to find the back of the net regularly with the existing crop of strikers at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino has made the 21-year-old the No 1 transfer target for Tottenham when the transfer window re-opens next month.

The Reds are now set to hijack the deal as Brendan Rodgers is keen on securing the services of Berahino, who is valued at around £25m. The England striker has been one of the few bright spots in the Baggies' poor season.

The former Swansea boss has already told his employers regarding his interest in bringing Berahino earlier in November. However, Liverpool are not willing to meet West Brom's £25m asking price.

The Merseyside club remain hopeful that a lower fee will help them acquire the services of the striker. West Brom are struggling in the league and sacked their manager Alan Irvine on Monday.

The departure of Irvine is likely to help Liverpool in their ongoing pursuit of Berahino, who excelled under the guidance of the 56-year-old at the Hawthorns.

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is a tough negotiator and he had earlier made his intentions clear that the club's star player will not be allowed to leave in the mid-season transfer window.

"I wish to assure our supporters that Saido Berahino will not be going anywhere in January or, I hope, next summer. It is not in our minds at all to trade a footballer the club has worked so diligently to develop," Peace explained.

"He is contracted to play for West Bromwich Albion until at least the summer of 2017 and we are happy to sit down with him and discuss extending that commitment on terms which recognise his continuing improvement as a footballer and his growing importance to our own plans."

"...it seems to have also generated unwarranted and excitable speculation about his future - which I wish to stress remains very firmly aligned to this football club," he added.

Now, fans will have to wait and watch if a struggling West Brom are able to hold on to their star player beyond the January transfer window as Liverpool leading the race, ahead of Tottenham for his services.