Levy hits back at West Brom after failed Tottenham bids for Saido Berahino

It is understood the Baggies are unhappy with Spurs' approach to the deal, which only strengthened their resolve to keep Berahino, who scored 20 goals last term.

West Brom instantly rejected Tottenham's two bids on Tuesday which were believed to only be marginally better than the north London club's second offer, made last month, which would have only risen to £21 million with clauses and add-ons.

Peace said on Wednesday: "Tottenham's offers failed substantially to reflect Saido's true value while the timing made no allowance for our own recruitment of a suitable replacement for a proven Premier League goalscorer.

"Saido has been unsettled to the point where our head coach has not felt able to select him for our last three games. We are now left with the task of repairing the damage created by this unfortunate episode."

It sparked a response from Levy. Without naming West Brom as the target of his frustration, Levy forcefully defended Tottenham's approach in the transfer market. He also said it was wrong for clubs to make public the news of players requesting transfers, as West Brom did in the case of Berahino last week.

Levy said: "We have never, as a club, spoken about another team's players and I am not about to do so now. However, I do want to make a few general points regarding transfers.

"Firstly, there is hardly a transfer concluded across Europe which doesn't include staged payments. This is particularly so when significant amounts such as £20m-£30m are involved - players don't come cheaply these days.

"Secondly, we do not make anything personal. None of the proposals, discussions or negotiations we undertake involve any personal elements or ego - everything we do is in the interest of what is best for our club.

"Thirdly, we never make anything public, particularly in the best interests of the players involved. Making aspects such as transfer requests public is wholly disrespectful to a player."