United set for Berba swoop

James Robson

July 31, 2008

UNITED will finally land Dimitar Berbatov once Andrei Arshavin completes his expected move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite Spurs chairman Daniel Levy being infuriated by United's pursuit of the Bulgarian hitman, he is understood to have told Old Trafford officials that he will be willing to let him go for £28m.

Sir Alex Ferguson has made Berbatov his number one target this summer as he looks to add a new dimension to the attack of the Premier League and European champions.

Spurs are resigned to losing the want-away forward, despite reporting United to the Premier League over their attempts to lure him away from White HartLane.

But they have proved they won't let that acrimony get in the way of a deal after selling Robbie Keane to Liverpool, another club they have reported to the authorities.

The only thing holding up Berbatov's move has been Juande Ramos' desire to have a ready-made replacement in place before releasing his star asset.

Russia's Euro 2008 sensation Arshavin is that man, which should enable Ferguson to land the player he has tracked for the last 12 months.

Despite Spurs preferring to see Berbatov move to the continent, rather than a Premier League rival, there has still been no firm offer from Barcelona, who have been most strongly linked with the 27-year-old.

While Berbatov's arrival would bring an end to one transfer saga this summer, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rumble on.

Despite United insisting they will not sell the double footballer of the year at any price, Real Madrid refuse to take no for answer.

The Spanish giants' president Ramon Calderon again risked the wrath of Ferguson when revealing that he had not yet given up hope of landing the Portuguese winger in a world record deal.

"Madrid are just spectators in this soap opera," he said.

"At the moment Manchester United and the player are in an argument and Madrid are waiting and we can't do any more for the time being."

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stevi, france (31/07/2008 at 08:45)

Well hopefully United won't pay more than 25 million because if Tottenham have already commited significant resources they are probably desperate to of load him now.....its time for us to play hard ball.....
as for the other rubbish about CR.......no comment!

I think its time MEN put this NO NEWS story to bed. I think we're all bored to tears of it. interesting

Robbo, N2409 (31/07/2008 at 09:05)

It's ok, Berba! Sulk no more! Welcome to your spiritual home! Ps Mind you, you will have to play left back in Euro aways.

Franco Bellocini (31/07/2008 at 09:06)

Surely if this deal is done Ronaldo will be allowed to depart for Real Madrid. I see no difference between the two deals with United undoubtedly playing the major role!

Cyprus Red, Cyprus (31/07/2008 at 09:17)

United should hold firm on their offer for Berbatov. There only appears to be one buyer as Barcelona have made no bid and seem to have lost interest. The reported original offer of 20 million would be a reasonable fee with a maximum of 24 million.
As for Christiano Ronaldo, it has been reported that he is installing expensive equipment to his Cheshire home which suggests he will be staying at least for this season. If we do get Berbatov, CR will probably not have the same impact as last season and I hope the fans will understand that and get behind him. He has proved to be a strong character and I expect him to give his best for United. One thing he does have in abundance is his self belief which he will probably need.

Steve, Glossop (31/07/2008 at 09:43)

This is one deal with Spurs I'm happy about he's pure class & he wanted to come here before settling for Spurs. I think the young strikers will learn alot from him also well Dong excluded.

Red Mist, Pudsey (31/07/2008 at 10:06)

According to the BBC, Spurs haven't even approched Zenit about signing Arshavin yet. Perhaps the player's agent has jumped the gun or is just trying to drum up interest from other clubs like Barcelona with his comments.
Until Spurs actually do make a move, this latest Berbatov story would seem little more than another flight of journalistic fantasy.

CaptainPark (31/07/2008 at 10:18)

What's wrong with English sports journalism??? Why do they keep repeatedly linking CR7 to real stupid madrid based on the garbage the Spanish press spout, and despite what we have reiterated??? It just leads me to conclude that the ABU English press just want to unsettle CR7 and see him leave in the hope that we'd miss his contribution. Man, it ain't gonna happen at all, get a life you useless English press!!!

Essex Prawn, Great Totham (31/07/2008 at 10:32)

I really don't get the Berbatov purchase; he's more Sherringham than Shearer and does much of his better work dropping off. We already know that Rooney's perfomence has dropped off since playing off of Tevez. Both Rooney and Tevez need a player to play off, and Berbatov will not do that. So, if we acquired his services one of the trio will be a bench man.
Certainly at the start of the season one of the wide midfielders is going to get more game time than last season but I'd hate to see Rooney pushed out wide for another season, it's not good for his game.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (31/07/2008 at 10:50)

This is getting nail biting now, we are the only club in the premiership who has yet to purchase anyone yet, we obviously need a new striker maybe even two if saha goes and it al rests on if spurs want to sell, which they dont even need too. Also I would love us to go and get a central midfielder who can actually dominate a game as we lack this, scholes too old, carrick,fletch not up to the task and we know hargreaves will be injured, so that only leaves anderson one season in with no goal threat which incidently is also missing from the central position. Also a defender who can cover the flanks and central defence would be great,especially if sly is sold and neville breaks down again.

bookie, droylsden (31/07/2008 at 10:55)

deary deary me £28M for Berbatov, does this mean Ronaldo's departure to Madrid is now inevitible? The annual interest on Utds debt is reputed to be around £26m oh dear this fee wont help to reduce at all will it? hmmmmmm that rumoured £1B debt now looks it is fact, in truth I just cant understand how the 'MOB' can continue to BUY SUCCESS on such terms I really dont hmmmmm financial ruin awaits them I suspect.....unless Ronaldo leaves for £50M that day will arrive sooner than later,Mick the bitter and twisted fireman - do you want a bet on it?

Bluereed my voice only (31/07/2008 at 11:12)

Oh didums,you have not signed anyone,well you can't when you have so much debt can you.

Alias Smith, over the moon (31/07/2008 at 11:25)

edinburgh red, that will be 3 or 4 players you want brought in? Did you not read Fergie make it clear it will be one?

Duncan, London (31/07/2008 at 11:34)

There's a guy in my office who has a lot of contacts in Spurs (he always gets free tickets to attend matches) who told me today that this transfer was a done deal. I know this sounds very much like a friend of a friend blah blah... but I've never known him to be wrong. He also confirmed the press stories about them going after Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin.

I see the Stretford End Arising (31/07/2008 at 11:35)

Essex Prawn, what about how good himself and Keane were together. Keane was hardly what you would call an out and out striker and is a poor man's rooney. Can you imagine what Berbatov would do with Rooney?

Duncan, London (31/07/2008 at 11:39)

"Surely if this deal is done Ronaldo will be allowed to depart for Real Madrid. I see no difference between the two deals with United undoubtedly playing the major role! "

Keep dreaming. The difference is four years left on the contract as opposed to two years and the fact that your president is boring anyone prepared to listen about how he is going to get Ronaldo something we haven't done. I foresee more presidential upheaval at your club. Your president needs to learn to shut his gob and he wouldn't have got you all believing his drivel.

Robbo, N2409 (31/07/2008 at 11:41)

Don't worry, edinburgh red. According to our resident sage, Mr t&c, we have anything up to an inflation-busting 14 (yes, that's not a typo, FOURTEEN) viable options in central attack. Actually, to be fair, now well-known centre-forward Chris Eagles has left, it's probably down to a mere 13. Or sometimes he claims it's 11. Anyway, it's loads! Only a fool would say we NEED an extra striker. Ps Count me in as a fool, then.

Macca, Cornwall (31/07/2008 at 11:45)

spurs will sign arshavin coz they will pay wat his club want. Berbatov didnt play again last nite which surely shows he is on his way. would be a great signing cant see it being more than £25mill tho.

Not sure if we will sign anybody else, no other names are being thrown about so doubt it.

TJC Robinson (31/07/2008 at 11:48)

I don't necessarily think Berbatov is the answer to our forward line, he plays the same way as Rooney and Tevez, he likes to drop off and needs a main striker to play off, so how do we accommodate three strikers who like to play the same way. We didn't get the best out of Rooney last season especially playing him wide at times. We need a striker who plays down the middle, leads the line and can hold the ball up and lay it off to Rooney or Tevez coming in from behind him. The Russian Pavalachenko that Spurs are lining up to replace Berbatov would be ideal, if anyone watched his performances during Euro 2008, he leads the line well and links the play and also has an eye for goal. Go for him and get the best out of Rooney, because I can't see Ronaldo having a season like last season again, even if he stays.

stevi, france (31/07/2008 at 11:50)

@edinburgh red...boy are you on a downer today...we've just done the double, were probably robbed of the treble and you would never of thought that was the case reading your post :o

of course we need a striker but other than that there is a limit to the number of players one can have and keep them happy...if we almost managed the treble with the current squad when nev & saha were permantly injured then we are clearly in a better position if Berbatov arrives....and don't forget we've got some craking youngers who should be seriously breaking into the first team squad so we can see what they're really made of.

Knut Blomvik, Molde (31/07/2008 at 11:58)

If we sign Berbatov, I think Manchester United has the best attacking lineup ever assembled (at least in England, if not the world). I don't worry of having three world class attackers. We will play 60-70 games each season, there are room for three first class forwards. The question in my mind is if Manucho is ready or not, we should have a lineup with four strikers, and if he don't get a work permit Fraizer Campbell should stay and be our forth man, I think playing with players like Berbatov, Tevez, Rooney and the rest of the team only can improve Campbell as well.

manc abroad, OT (31/07/2008 at 12:21)

Don't think he is worth 28 million. Anyway it's a game of "Chicken" between Spurs and United and who will blink first.

Spurs are a selling club currently, so Ramos can buy the players he wants.

Surprised Blatter has not come into the eqaution and said Berbatov is a slave and Spurs should sell him to us immediately, or am I becoming too cynical in my old age.

Agree with everybody else, why has CR7 been added to the end of this story ????

Teresa20, Norwich (31/07/2008 at 12:25)

One of Arshavin's advisors was on Talksport last night and he said that the player had agreed personal terms with Spurs but that Spurs have not met the asking price.

daniel (31/07/2008 at 12:26)

Berbatov didn't play again last night.
I hope something is happening behind the scenes and Gill is working very hard to finally bring us some good news.Because most of the summer all we have had is bad news.

Red Dawn (31/07/2008 at 12:51)

I think it was obvious a move was nearing after Berbatov 'didn't get changed' for the game against Norwich, and wasn't even in the squad for their friendly last night.

Spurs are closing in on Arshavin AND Pavyluchenko, who the BBC claim they have already spoken to.

It would be good to have Berbatov on board for the testimonial. If not, it will be interesting to see if he travels to Holland with the rest of the Spurs squad for the Rotterdam Tournament.

Red Mist,

Zenith will deny any approach, for the simple reason they want to tie up a replacement first.

A Manc and blue (31/07/2008 at 13:02)

Just to add with bluereed comments. With the debt hanging over your head and british gas going up,you struggling to buy players why not see if FC United have some you can loan off them

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