Berbatov: Future remains uncertain
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Spurs will leave Berba in reserve
Tottenham are willing to make Dimitar Berbatov play reserve-team football if they do not receive a suitable offer from Manchester United.
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Spurs are understood to be looking for at least £30million for the 27-year-old - who has handed in a transfer request in pursuit of a move to Old Trafford - and they are waiting for a bid from United before the end of the transfer window.
The transfer saga led to Berbatov missing Saturday's defeat to Sunderland after being deemed psychologically unfit and a threat to dressing-room harmony - and a repeat could see the Bulgaria captain feature in Clive Allen's second-string team.
Head coach Juande Ramos and Berbatov met on Sunday for more talks about the future of the £10.9million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, with his absence over the weekend leading to his departure looking inevitable.
The ball now looks to be in United's court, with the crucial factor being what they genuinely value the player at.
Historically, United do not find themselves backed into a corner during transfer negotiations - their interest in Michael Essien and Arjen Robben fell away when the price was not right. Rather than being held to ransom, they have been willing to miss out on a player.
They also tend to do their business earlier in the summer rather than leaving it until close to the deadline to complete deals for players.
Striking a deal with Spurs would also probably see the Premier League complaint against United dropped, after they were effectively accused of tapping-up Berbatov.
Spurs would ideally want to bring in a striker before allowing Berbatov to leave, particularly as Darren Bent is their only available out-and-out striker at the moment.
Radamel Falcao from River Plate is the latest name to be linked with a move to White Hart Lane, with Wigan's Emile Heskey also reported over the weekend as a potential target.
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Your Comments
clarkeeee (Manchester United fan)
"I have to admit I admire Spurs for digging their heals in. Why should you sell if the asking price isin't met."
spurred_on (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"Loan him out to Accrington Stanley."
spennatova (Aston Villa fan)
"Fair play to Spurs, player power is getting out of hand. Hopefully some of these over paid prima donna's might start thinking about what a contract stands for when they sign it, rather than all of the zero's on the end of a '£'. A contract is a contract, it's that simple. "
hetfieldisgod (Newcastle United fan)
"The way Tottenham are going on is pathetic. LET BERBATOV GO FOR GOD SAKE! Stop trying to ripp him off and expecting stupid high prices! You'll never get that much money, because you're not worth it! Haha, dumping him in the reserves because he wants to play for another club is sooooooooooooooo childish. I feel sorry for Spurs fans who have to put up with immature ownership within the club. If it was in our case, if Owen wanted to leave us - which I really thought he did, I'd be happy to let him go, to keep him happy and not hold anything against the club. It's not good for business! Let him sign for Manchester United... same case with Cristiano Ronaldo. No one should be held against their wishes! You wouldn't like it!!!"
boneil (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"i think we should sell Berbatov for £23-24 million just to get rid of him. Course he is worth £30 million but 6 or 7 extra won't make the difference between us having a good or bad season. If we don't get in at least 3 new first team players this week it won't matter how much money we get for Berbatov our season will be over before it has started."
gnth1960 (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"jontyc - I agree with you that we should get behind every Spurs player, regardless, and not believe every word that the tabloids print. However, if it is true what the press say, then I think Spurs should relegate Berbatov to the reserves until January and then get rid of him, unless of course he gets some sense into his head and makes a complete about turn. No player, no matter how good he is, is bigger than Spurs and if they have to be told in no uncertain fashion, then so be it! If we can't get a suitable striker in before the transfer window closes, then we should give our youngsters Barcham, Pekhart and Mpoku a chance to prove themselves. Who knows, we might uncover a gem in one of them. Spurs should maintain their price for Berbatov and if at all possible, not sell to Man Utd. Sell him to someone on the continent. Sad to see our club in such turmoil over one ill-disciplined player. "
2suave (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"ZeroZero, well said. I hate to say this but Arsene has shown that No One Man is Bigger The Club.Depratures of Henrys and Vieras doesnt bother the club. We shd do the same.30 million or NO GO.Let him learn to honour contracts. We all know the Glaswegian has no respect for laws but talks abt one when it comes to Ronaldo's case.Well done Chairman Levy. We are behind you on rotting him there!"
mta_kurd (Newcastle United fan)
"Once a player is baught buy a team, he's their player. I hate sulky losers like Berbatov. Playing him in reserves makes me laugh, getting ordered by players aged 19 and under. Dyer was sulky like him, he should have been punished like that too. Anyway even if he does play one reserves match, his next will be at Old Trafford. This is Fergie's real tactic, he waits till a team buys a star player and makes them get used to the premier league, he then goes for them and clinges on until you give up. Hence Tevez, Rooney, Berbatoc etc... "
ZeroZero (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"I have been saying this for week and I do hope Levy is good for his word, Let the Bulgarian rot in the reserves and train with the U17 team. See how half a season of that "focuses" his mind..."
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