‘100%’ – Former West Brom player claims he would ‘jump’ at chance to return to Baggies
Saido Berahino has claimed that he would “100%” want to rejoin West Brom if the opportunity ever arose.
The 26-year-old left the Baggies for Stoke City in 2017, and now plies his trade with Belgian outfit SV Zulte Waregem, who he signed for in August of last year.
The striker endured a torrid spell towards the end of his spell at the Hawthorns after the Baggies rejected a series of bids for him from Tottenham Hotspur in 2015.
Berahino eventually stated that he never wanted to play for Albion again, but has since admitted that he regrets his actions five years ago.
And speaking to the Counter Attack podcast, the hitman has also claimed that he would be eager for a shot at redemption with his boyhood club.
He said: “If West Brom came back in for me, I would jump back – 100%.
“I support West Brom, I follow their games. My friend [Romaine Sawyers] plays for them.
“If they came back for me 100 per cent I would go back.”
It’s fair to say that Berahino’s career has largely been on a downward trajectory since he left Albion in 2017.
His move to Stoke yielded just five goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, and at one point in 2018 he was even banished to the U23s because of his poor timekeeping.
He also drew heavy criticism last year from former teammate Glen Johnson for his attitude during his time with the club.
There have been signs that he has turned himself around since making the move to mainland Europe last summer, however.
Eight goals in 22 appearances this term is already a vastly improved return rate than his dismal record with the Potters, and the tally represents his most fruitful campaign since 2014/15.
Berahino’s new manager has also been suitably impressed with his behaviour off the field too, with Francky Dury describing him as a “real professional” during an interview with talkSPORT.
A remarkable comeback story for the Baggies still seems fairly unlikely, but at the very least, it sounds as if the controversial hitman has finally turned a corner in his career.
In other West Brom news, ‘Promote them’ – Sky Sports pundit backs Albion for PL return amid Coronavirus uncertainty.