West Bromwich Albion technical director Terry Burton has hinted the club could sell Saido Berahino in January.
Burton has left the door open for the striker’s exit this month but insisted West Brom would not allow their star to leave on the cheap.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for the nine-goal hitman, but Press Association Sport understands West Brom have not held talks with the club.
Read more: The National’s Transfer Talk page
Burton insisted new head coach Tony Pulis would have the final say in any transfer deals but could grant a move for Berahino if it was best for the club.
“Tony will do and work whatever way is best for the football club. He tries to win football matches and if he needs to sell somebody to do something else he will sell them,” said Burton, who confirmed West Brom have put contract negotiations with Berahino on hold.
“He will do whatever is best to get results for the club and that could involve any aspect of the policy. Whatever he wants we will work our hardest to make happen. Tony is in total charge.”
But Burton insisted West Brom would not sell the England Under 21 international for less than £20 million (Dh112.6m).
“I don’t think he (Pulis) would take that small amount of money,” he said.
“He is worth what some club would pay for him. If a club want a player bad enough and they are top quality players and if they have the finances they try and do that.”
Pulis was unveiled at The Hawthorns on Friday, after replacing Alan Irvine, ahead of his first game in charge against Gateshead in the FA Cup on Saturday.
He has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in August after saving them from relegation last term.
Pulis took over at Selhurst Park in November 2013 when Palace were second bottom of the Premier League with seven points from 12 games.
Palace had been written off but he guided them to 11th before leaving after a disagreement over transfer policy.
West Brom are 17th in the table, a point above the drop zone, and Pulis underlined the difficulty of the job.
“This is the shortest period of time I’ve had at any football club to turn results around. That’s why I think it will be as difficult, if not more difficult, than Palace,” he said.
“I knew exactly where we were at Palace after two months. I hope we can get that instant reaction and go on to win games but it will be really tough.
“If you look at the bottom 12 here, it’s never been tighter. You look at what Burnley, Leicester and QPR have done. They’ve had good results and will be fighting right through to the end.”
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