Spurs still willing to spend big for Berahino ... if he's put up for sale

There will undoubtedly be lots of transfer stories and updates continuing the Saido Berahino to Tottenham Hotspur saga that has been percolating over the past month. Take this one: the Telegraph is reporting that West Bromwich Albion is still "sweating" over a possible third bid. Nothing much new in this -- Spurs still haven't made a bid, and West Brom are still holding the company line that Berahino is not for sale.

But what's this -- some actual news buried in the middle!

Tottenham have had two bids for Berahino rejected, but are willing to make another offer closer to West Brom's valuation if [West Brom chairman Jeremy] Peace will do business.

It's the "if Peace will do business" part that's the key. Peace seemed And this is also the first time we've seen anything that actually says that Spurs are going to make another big-money bid on Berahino. Since the signing of Son Heung-Min, and after Peace's public condemnation of Daniel Levy's negotiations, all indications have that Spurs would be looking elsewhere, but maybe that's not the case.

Meanwhile, the Guardian is reporting that West Brom are "mov[ing] to prepare the ground" on a Berahino sale. In the past few hours the Baggies have been linked with the likes of Matty Phillips, Charlie Austin, and James Wilson, all direct (or near direct) replacements for a possible Berahino-sized hole in the side.

I'm still somewhat skeptical that Spurs will make a third offer on Berahino after the signing of Son Heung-Min, but if they do it sounds as though this time they're not going to mess around. And West Brom are clearly laying the foundations for life after Little Bear.