Skip to content

West Brom manager Tony Pulis says transfer window is distracting Saido Berahino

Alan Walter / Reuters

West Brom manager Tony Pulis isn't happy with some of the summer transfer window's side effects, saying media coverage has unsettled the team's leading striker, Saido Berahino.

"Why are we talking about Saido? Because of the transfer window," Pulis told reporters after a 3-2 loss to Chelsea at the Hawthorns. "It's absolutely ridiculous. For it to be going through the start of the season is ridiculous. We should be talking about this game. This wouldn't be an issue, a problem."

Berahino's been linked with a move away, with Tottenham reportedly interested in his services. The 22-year-old English forward was left out of Pulis' roster for West Brom's home match against the Blues, and when asked why, Pulis explained the player wasn't able to focus on the match at hand.

Pulis doesn't want the transfer window to run into the starting month of the Premier League season.

He believes the overlap means some of his players are unable to fully concentrate on the matches in front of them while speculation about their respective futures swirls in the morning papers.

"It happens where it can be disruptive, and it has been disruptive," Pulis said, of the window. "I had a good chat with him yesterday and he's fine, no problems, but it's the transfer window. Why can't we have a system where (the transfer window) finishes before the start of the season?"

Pulis couldn't give a definitive yes or no about whether Berahino will remain with West Brom.

"You'll have to wait and see, seven days," Pulis said. "It's just the kid. He's a young lad who needs to be protected. There's loads of stuff going on in his mind and there are loads of clubs, not one but 15, saying things and doing things. I'm not talking any more about it."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox