Chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor has revealed that he has offered to help West Bromwich Albion and Saido Berahino settle their ongoing dispute.
Berahino was the subject of four separate bids, including two on deadline day, from Tottenham Hotspur during the recent summer transfer window, but no deal was agreed between the two clubs.
The 22-year-old, who also saw a transfer request turned down last month, took to Twitter to voice his displeasure over the move breaking down, suggesting that he would never play for chairman Jeremy Peace again.
However, Taylor has advised the youngster against going on strike and is hopeful that the situation will be resolved sooner rather than later.
"Players know if they come to the end of a contract they have that right to move but if it's during a contract there are other factors involved and it can't be taken for granted. It's always better for players to be playing," he told PA.
"Things can be said in the heat of the moment and contracts work both ways but players need to play and keep fit. The average career is eight years and the biggest worry for any player is to be injured and not be able to play. Hopefully he has an international future as well, so just for the sake of the lad as well as the club we're hopeful it can be resolved.
"Young men are young men and sometimes things are said which are regretted. We're in a world of social media and a lot of our young players are expected to have old heads on young shoulders and sometimes can let off steam. People get disappointed and sometimes things are done that, on reflection, wouldn't be out in the public domain and we're hoping that situation will be understood.
"We have approached the club, we have dealt with them on similar issues in the past, and offered to help resolve the matter, both for the club's sake and the player's sake. We're available to help resolve matters if needed but I'm hoping we won't be."
Berahino is expected to meet with Baggies boss Tony Pulis on his return from international duty in order to discuss the situation.
The striker, who scored 20 goals in 45 appearances for West Brom last season, has been left out of the team's last three matches due to the uncertain nature of his future.
Barney Corkhill
