Tottenham's Pochettino likens pursuit of West Brom's Berahino to love triangle

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has voiced his concern over the mental state of Saido Berahino, after Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino compared his pursuit of the young striker to a frustrated love affair.

The 22-year-old England international has been the subject of two proposals from Spurs, both turned down by the Baggies, and has since handed in a request to talk with his romantic pursuer.

"It's like when you are in love with some lady," Pochettino told reporters. "There are a lot of women around the world, but you want only one.

"Sometimes it is impossible. It's about love. And in football it is the same."

The doe-eyed Argentine is looking to add some firepower to his Spurs lineup after his side scored just three goals in its first three Premier League games.

Forward Son Heung-min was pried from Bayer Leverkusen for £22-million on Friday, but Berahino remains the apple of Pochettino's eye.

Berahino's transfer request was rejected earlier this week, and his current manager can see that the striker's head is turned.

"He has emotions and he needs protecting," Pulis said at a pregame press conference Friday.

"He's a human being, he's not just a lump of meat who people are trying to sell."

The youngster has scored an impressive 29 goals in 53 starts for the Hawthorns outfit, and could be an ideal strike partner for Spurs' man Harry Kane.

Pulis added: "It's not just about football it's about the person, about the lad and what he's going through.

"I don't think he is 110 per cent clear on what his future is. So many people get through to these youngsters."

Berahino sat out both Tuesday's league cup tie against Port Vale and the hosting of Chelsea in the Premier League last weekend as Pulis claimed he was not in the right frame of mind.

The striker will be assessed before Saturday's trip to Stoke City.