Or maybe not...

@wbaofficial
@WBAFCofficial: Steve Clarke: "I'm confident @SBerahino will sign a new contract within next 24 hours."

Sounds like it's imminent!

PUBLISHED

15:39 28th November 2013

Boss provides update on striker's situation

STEVE Clarke says he is confident Saido Berahino will sign a new contract within 24 hours.

The 20-year-old striker has made a flying start to the season, firing a Capital One Cup hat-trick against Newport on his full Baggies debut in August.

He followed that up by notching against Arsenal in the same competition and has since netted his first Barclays Premier League goals in wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

And the hotshot, who has played at every level for England from Under-16s, has scored six goals in four games for Gareth Southgate’s Under-21s this term.

Clarke said: "I'm confident Saido will sign his new deal within the next 24 hours.

"It will be great for Saido because he’s a young boy and he’s maybe become a little bit distracted by the fact it’s been going on for so long.

“That’s been a little negative for the whole situation but there are not too many negatives surrounding Saido this season.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air in the squad, he’s been a revelation and has made a big contribution to us already.

“When he signs his contract he has a massive part to play for us for the rest of the season.

“I don’t think it’s affected his form on the field; I just feel there were other things on his mind over the last couple of weeks.

“When you get so close to signing what is a very, very good contract, as a young boy, sometimes it can be difficult to get your head around that fact.

“Hopefully now we can forget about talking about contracts and focus on Saido the player and help him improve."

He added: “The next stage for Saido is to keep doing what he’s doing and try and improve.

“He doesn’t need to worry where he is in the pecking order because I think I’ve shown this season if it’s the right moment to put him onto the pitch, I’ve done it.

“So, he doesn’t have to worry about that.

“He knows exactly where he is in the scheme of things here and how I use my squad.

“When I turn to the bench, if I’ve got choices to make, Saido has already shown he can be the player I bring to the pitch or the player to start games."

Read more at http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/clarke-confident-on-new-berahino-deal-1202753.aspx#MoYmGehAWPHfj5PK.99

Explains why SC has left him out the last few games...

So hope that this all true. He is a terrific prospect and is at the right club to allow his talent to blossom.
If one of the big clubs supposedly interested in him were to sign him, they might well have loaned him straight back to us anyway.
If he progresses the way we all hope he will, we have a fantastic prospect on our hands.

Once signed I expect Hodgson to pick him for the World Cup. I don't see how we can lose by not taking him. He is about the only person who scores for under 21s these days.

What I can't understand is why, if he's going to sign, is it has taking so long to complete. The only answer is that Saido and his agent have other irons in the fire. No doubt he would have been in for training today so if he's going to sign, why not sign today ?

I'll believe it when I see it on the official website but until then my view is that he is also considering other options.

I agree, Baggie Man. His agent will be asking other clubs if they're interested in taking him.

The BBC's reporting he's on the verge of signing a three and a half year £20k a week deal, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton waiting in the wings. I wonder why none of those three made a bid for him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25023687

There are no other irons in the fire. He has 2 choices. Accept our final offer or stick with us for 18 months on £850 a week.

How can they approach other clubs when he's got another 7 months on his contract with a year's option in the club's favour?

The delay is just brinkmanship over his wages and possibly the length of his contract. No other clubs are involved.

As with the rest of our senior squad, we're in the driving seat. It's the same with Shane Long.

They'll both sign new deals and this issue will be consigned to history!

Good point, coxy, but any agent can approach any club at any time, and we know they do it all the time. Obviously Albion can hold a player to his contract, but it doesn't matter how long a player's got left on that contract, another club can still make a bid. If a club is willing to sell, all that has to be agreed is the price.
As you say, though, Berahino will sign, as will Shane Long.

@SteveMadeley
@smadeley_star: Berahino contract won't be signed before tomorrow's game. All agreed but player's lawyers didn't give OK b4 players flew to Newcastle. #wba

Will be signed Monday then.

'All agreed'

I know what you are saying Coxy but..... didn't Tricky Dicky Garlic say himself during the Shane Long/Hull saga, "every player has his price"

I hope I'm wrong but I have a bad feeling about this. The 24 hours has past and still no signing.

Hmmm....

Read the comment above you Baggie man.

It's all agreed.