Manchester United Transfer News: Saido Berahino, Ayoze Perez Eyed, Top Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit of two of the Premier League’s most impressive young attacking players: West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino and Ayoze Perez of Newcastle United.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express), the Red Devils are ready to swoop for Berahino in the mid-season window in an attempt to bolster their options at the sharp end of the pitch.

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As noted by Cambridge, the striker wanted to leave West Brom in the summer after bids from Spurs were rejected, threatening to never play for the club again. However, the Baggies kept their man, and Berahino has been back in the team scoring some critical goals as a result. 

When chances have come his way, the 22-year-old has shown a cold composure, as we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football:

For Berahino, it’ll have been disappointing not to have got the move to White Hart Lane in the window. However, the prospect of joining a club such as United would surely appeal to the young forward, with Louis van Gaal’s side looking as though they are edging closer to challenging for the top honours again.

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Opportunities wouldn’t be too scarce for Berahino either. Although Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial are strong options to have up front, the Red Devils don’t have any other forwards to call upon. The West Brom man’s adaptability, eye for goal and refined link-up play would make him a useful squad member to have around.

Perez could be another alternative for the Red Devils, with Fichajes (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) reporting he’s another player who the club are interested in, but may have to battle Spurs for.

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The Spanish star has been a bright spark in an otherwise miserable campaign for Newcastle, showcasing plenty of quality in attacking areas. He’s not a player who typically operates as the most advanced in the XI, but Perez is at his best when floating into space between the lines, turning and driving at the back four.

James Tyler of ESPN compared the 22-year-old to one of the division’s finest playmakers during Newcastle’s recent 6-2 win over Norwich City:

United already have plenty of players capable of fulfilling roles in advanced midfield positions, though. Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Ashley Young, Rooney and even Martial have filled these spots so far this campaign; what the Red Devils need is a player who will operate as an orthodox centre-forward.

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Here’s a look at how Perez and Berahino have compared statistically to United’s two front men so far this season:

	Berahino	Perez	Martial	Rooney
Apps (Sub)	6 (1)	5 (2)	4 (1)	8
Goals	3	2	3	2
Assists	0	2	1	0
Shots per game	1.1	1.7	1.6	2.3
Key passes per game	0.4	0.6	0.8	1.3

Of the two mentioned, Berahino would be the better fit for United. He’s a player who would be able to operate across the front line under Van Gaal and, while Perez would provide the Red Devils with an elegant influence from a little more withdrawn position, the Englishman would offer vital competition at the very point of the attack.

At the moment, Martial, 19, is looking like a player who will fill that position for United for years to come. But despite a scintillating beginning to his Old Trafford career, Van Gaal can’t rely on a player so young to continue producing strong performances so consistently. Berahino would be an ideal candidate to share some of the goalscoring burden.