Saido Berahino
Berahino made his first Premier League start against Arsenal.

West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino is a target for Arsenal in the January transfer window with his future at The Hawthorns uncertain, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Berahino is on a basic salary of £850 with Albion but manager Steve Clarke is keen to reward the 20 year old with a deal to reflect his recent contribution.

The 20 year old scored the winner against Manchester United last month after having netted a hat-trick against Notts County and once against Arsenal in the League Cup.

Goals in successive games for the England Under-21's against Moldova and Finland has worked to further enhance his reputation as one of the nation's rising stars at a time when youth football is being scrutinised by a Football Association commission.

Berahino sought asylum from his native Burundi aged 10 with his family and joined West Brom in 2004 before signing professional terms seven years later.

Loan spells at Northampton Town, Brentford and Peterborough United followed before earning his first start for West Brom in the League Cup against Notts County.

His first Premier League appearance came against Swansea City but his impact amid West Brom's first win at Old Trafford for 35 years has been his most significant contribution. He made his full league debut against Arsenal before the international break.

Clarke is hopeful the club will offer a bumper new deal to Berahino: "We're fortunate with Saido. He was terrific last week and deserves all the plaudits he gets. Our job is to keep his feet on the ground.

"Obviously, his agent has been busy putting things out in the open but now is the time for everyone to remain calm and improve Saido as a player.

"He's in a great place and we want him to stay that way. Our job is to keep him doing what he does best and that is to play football to a very good level.

"It was naughty for his agent to put his wages out there but we will look after him."

Arsenal's hopes of signing Berahino in January rest on a delay in the player agreeing terms on a new contract. The Gunners would be expected to offer the youngster both a financial offer which would outstrip The Baggies' fiscal capacity and greater first team opportunities.

His start against Arsenal in the Premier League was his first for West Brom, and given the shortage of strikers at the Emirates Stadium - with Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner the only first team forwards available - and the possibility of the club fighting on four fronts in the New Year, Berahino's first team opportunities could be enhanced.

Clarke's trend of starting with one central striker, with Nicolas Anelka the preferred option having started five times in the league this season, is likely to restrict Berahino's appearances this term in his favoured role.

Starts either behind the main striker, in a wide role - akin to the position he occupied against Arsenal - or as an impact substitute, are more likely however, the offer of being part of a squad among the most exciting in north London for a decade could be too great an opportunity to turn down.