Southampton set to gazump Stoke’s £16million bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino

A PREMIER League bidding war is brewing for West Brom’s wantaway striker Saido Berahino.

Stoke have been favourites to land the 22-year-old former England under-21 man after a £16million offer.

But now the Potters may have to up their bid – if they want to keep Southampton at bay.

The Saints are about to finalise a £30million deal that will see Sadio Mane leave the south coast for Liverpool.

Now they are keen to use some of that money to lure Berahino to fill the void left by the Senegal forward.

And what could tempt Berahino is that Saints will be playing in the Europa League next season after finishing sixth in the last campaign.

The Baggies won’t complain about Saints showing an interest in their man as it will continue to drive the price up and he only has a year left on his contract.

Berahino scored four goals in 31 Premier League appearances for West Brom last season.

Southampton are currently managerless after Ronald Koeman left for Everton, but they are believed to be closing in on an appointment of former Nice boss Claude Puel.

Even if Puel is not in place soon, Saints could still move for Berahino like they did when they signed winger Nathan Redmond from Norwich in a £11million deal last weekend.