Arsenal continue to stalk young West Brom starlet

West Brom’s Saido Berahino is continuing to interest a host of top Premier League clubs and it is Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal who are in pole position to secure the hottest signature around.

Wenger, whose forward line is looking threadbare, lost Theo Walcott to injury last weekend and is a big admirer of Berahino; he looks an ideal replacement.

The Gunners showed interest in the forward during the summer and their keenness has not waned since, with Berahino scoring six goals so far this season for the west Midlands club.

Speculation over a move was at its hottest before the England Under-21 star signed a new contract in December, however the London club are still hot on the heels of the 20-year-old.

Saido Berahino has scored six goals for the England U21’s

The Baggies know that they have a saleable asset on their hands and won’t let him leave the club cheaply, however a move to one of the big four clubs would be too much for the young striker to turn down.

West Brom’s sporting and technical director Richard Garlick said: “It’s difficult for any 20-year-old to get into a Premier League side and there are going to be times when Saido’s maybe not playing as much as he would like to.

“He’s not the finished article and he has to remain patient, as we do with him.”

The forward came through the youth system at West Brom

England boss Roy Hodgson has intimated that he is considering a wildcard move of bringing Berahino into the full England side, and a transfer to a big club would enhance the striker’s chance of making a late bid for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

So far he has scored six goals in four appearances for the Under 21’s, bagging braces against Lithuania and Finland.

Fellow London side Chelsea are also monitoring the situation, and both clubs are in a financial position to test WBA’s resolve during this transfer window.