West Bromwich Albion 'seek club-record fee' for star striker Saido Berahino

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly seeking £30m ($42.4m) for star striker Saido Berahino. The 22-year-old attacker has been linked with a move away from The Hawthorns during the January transfer window, with Chelsea, Newcastle United, Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs rumoured to be interested in the player. However, it is reported the Midlands club will only sell their prized asset for an eye-watering transfer fee.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis said Berahino's absence from the FA Cup third-round replay against Bristol City on 19 January was due to a stomach bug. But it is widely thought he missed the game because of his impending exit from the club.

Jeremy Peace, West Brom's chairman, is hoping to use the interest of various Premier League clubs to increase Berahino's transfer fee, according to The Sun. The Baggies rejected a bid of £25m from Tottenham during the summer transfer window, and Peace is hopeful of securing even more money for the player this month.

Peace has reportedly pointed to the £49m Manchester City paid Liverpool for Raheem Sterling as the yardstick for young English players. The chairman remains determined to secure the asking price he is after, even though he is said to be facing pressure from the player and his representatives to strike a deal before the window shuts.

Berahino has been on the fringes of the West Brom team this season, having almost left the club in the summer of 2015. But with only 18 months remaining on his contract, the Baggies may be tempted to sell the player before his value drops any further.