Tottenham transfer news: Spurs to step up pursuit of Fulham's Dembele if deal for Berahino cannot be agreed

Target: Dembele has attracted attention from White Hart Lane
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse22 December 2015

Tottenham will step up their pursuit of Fulham forward Moussa Dembele if they deem it too difficult to sign Saido Berahino from West Brom.

Spurs made four bids, all of which were rejected, for West Brom striker Berahino last summer, placing considerable strain on relations between the clubs.

The tension is thought to have eased slightly, and West Brom official Richard Garlick said earlier this month the Baggies would need to sell before they could buy in the January transfer window. But negotiations would still be far from simple.

Berahino has had little influence for West Brom this season, scoring three goals in 12 appearances, with boss Tony Pulis admitting the player’s form has dipped since his move to Tottenham collapsed.

Berahino is still highly regarded by Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino but for a number of reasons, Standard Sport understands a deal for Dembele might prove easier to complete.

Standard Sport revealed in November that Pochettino was interested in Dembele, and there are believed to have been recent discussions regarding his availability with both Tottenham and Manchester United.

Tottenham want to sign a promising young striker who will be prepared to act as back-up to Harry Kane during the second half of the season.

Dembele, 19, is a pure centre-forward, whereas Berahino is perhaps more effective working alongside another striker - as the 22-year-old did with Kane during their time in the England Under-21 set-up.

Dembele, a France Under-20 international, has scored 10 times in 23 games in the Championship this term.

He would also be prepared to be patient at Spurs, understanding that while he would be given playing time, Kane is the clear first-choice as lone striker.

Dembele - no relation to the Spurs midfielder who shares his name - is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning Fulham must sell in January to be certain of collecting a substantial transfer fee.

From next month, Dembele is able to negotiate a summer move with foreign clubs, and there is interest from Napoli, Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, while Juventus and Bayern Munich have also scouted the player.

Were he to move abroad, Fulham might receive as little as £300,000 under FIFA compensation rules regarding players under the age of 24.

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