At what point does a transfer saga stop being a saga? When does it become novel-worthy nonsense?

Saido Berahino's laboured attempts to leave West Bromwich Albion are certainly reaching that ballpark.

The striker has been pushing his way out of the Hawthorns for what seems like an eternity and the continued battled between himself and the club's brutal hierarchy shows no sign of ending. The longer it goes on, the worse it reflects on both parties at this point.

No one is coming out of this smelling like roses. They're all carrying a strong whiff of deceit, greed and stubbornness. It's bringing out the heels digging-in nature of some football clubs, to the point that they are overlooking what would be best for their club.

It's a right mess, frankly. Berahino can't be happy, the manager must be a bit miffed and everyone is at a loss with what to do at this point.

All about the price tag

Berahino

At the end of the day. When all's said and done. When you have a long hard look at yourselves.

Whatever irrelevant cliche you want to use, money runs the world (football). The influence of currency in the 'beautiful' game is growing, as you would expect, and clubs are becoming more and more powerful by the week, as their revenues rise at astonishing rates.

For that reason, West Brom have been able to resist even hefty offers for their gifted forward.

However, they may well have done better out of this if they hadn't. The market has inflated since Tottenham's first offer for Berahino and, at the time, that was a ground-breaker. Although that money might not have the same weight as it did then, the money could have been reinvested in the squad and even seen some of those investments make profit this summer.

Harmonising

West Bromwich Albion - Tony Pulis Press Conference

Having a player who has been so vocal about his desire to leave can hardly be a good thing for the squad. Manager-player relations probably haven't been on the best footing for some time now, which will have made it a rather unpleasant dressing room to find yourself in.

Players don't want to join/play for clubs that are not willing to do what is best for their players, do they? Surely players do not like to see their team-mates kept at a club against their will, nor will they enjoy seeing a team-mate so openly opposed to playing for a side.

It needed to be ended a while back, but this 'saga' has cost every Baggie.

Poor lad

Berahino

Berahino has dreamed of reaching the top level of English football since he was a kid and he wants to take the next step.

Evidently, he will struggle to become an England regular at West Brom, making it harder for him to want to remain at the club.

Their style wasn't suiting his style of play often and it was doing no good for him or the team as a whole, it's a lose-lose.

Other than a bit of pride at showing they can retain a player, keeping an unhappy, unsuited player has done little good for either party in this one.