Saido Berahino has opened up on how his failed move to Tottenham contributed to his footballing downfall.
The striker was regarded as one of England's hottest prospects after coming through the ranks at West Brom, with many tipping him to play at the highest level.
However when the Baggies stopped him from completing a move to north London, the striker says that it affected his performances for both West Brom and Stoke City; leading him to reignite his career with Belgian side Zulte Waregem.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad about the impact of his failed move to Spurs, Berahino said: “That played a lot.
"That’s when the misery started. As a player you want to go to the top and that was Tottenham. But the owner of West Brom wanted to sell the club.
“And I – two times the team’s top scorer, young international, twice The Young Player of The Year – was the most valuable asset of West Brom.
"That’s why he didn’t let me go. If he sold me, he could not sell the club for so much money.
“I didn’t understand that and couldn’t handle it. It was a selfish decision. I took it personally. I can now give lay it to rest, but that took me years. I blamed others. It killed me.”
