Transfer Centre

Gareth Southgate warns John Stones, Saido Berahino over moves

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 26 August 2015

England Under-21s boss Gareth Southgate tells John Stones and Saido Berahino that they should not take up the first offer of a big move to another club.

England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate has told John Stones and Saido Berahino that they should not take up the first offer of a lucrative transfer to another club.

Everton defender Stones has been heavily linked with Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur are said to be chasing West Bromwich Albion striker Berahino.

Southgate, who has worked with the pair at international level, has said he is concerned that they could harm their chances of playing regular first-team football if they leave their current clubs.

"The key initially is that they need to play," he told The Express. "So both of those players are currently at clubs where they are playing regularly, which is a great position to be in.

"With the senior team, Roy [Hodgson] will want as many of his players playing Champions League football as possible. That's where they test themselves against the very best. But with the younger players, they need to play regularly and that should be high on their consideration.

"I have seen what happens when players are not playing regularly and there's a moment their development dwindles and they don't progress."

Stones has won 12 caps for the Under-21s, while Berahino has won 11.