The Great Berbatov Debate

By: Gary | July 13th, 2008

While the transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to take most of the limelight in the media this summer, it is quite easy to forget about a similar story regarding want away striker Dimitar Berbatov.

But not for Spurs fans. In fact it couldn’t be much higher on the list for the White Hart Lane faithful as they continue to be torn by whether or not the Bulgarian will start the new season in Tottenham colours.

This weekend saw the tabloid press take the debate into its most advanced chapter to date with The Sun claiming in their Saturday edition, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had lodged a £20 million bid for the moody hitman.

The story developed further as the Sunday Mirror revealed Berbatov to be the moodiest player in the squad since reporting back to pre-season training just a week ago. It is not at all a surprise but yet more indication towards his likely White Hart Lane exit.

The most recent reports should calm the tide of rumours surrounding Robbie Keane and a move to Liverpool, but it appears such transfer tasks of Berbatov are never going away.

Renewed interest from the English champions is only likely to tempt his other admirers into swooping.

It is this thought which tells me we could be lining up for a mega fee, with as much as £24 million already being reported in the newspapers for his signature.

Not only will this weekend’s speculation alert all of Europe’s Berbatov-chasers. It should also serve as a warning boss Juande Ramos who will need to increase his pursuit for a new forward before the season begins in August.

It we do believe what we read, I find it impossible to see a way of Spurs being able to keep hold of Berbatov this summer.

The lure of Champions League football will be far too big of an opportunity for the Berb to turn down with the years ticking down on his career.

After all, Berbatov’s relationship has hardly been a bed of roses over the last 12 months either. The input of his agent alongside a scattering of abject displays have all is not well as far as the club and player relationship is concerned.

I am not suggesting I will be glad to see the back of him. Of course not. He is a superb player. He is wonderfully gifted and boasts an impressive scoring record in North London as well.

But for Ramos to bring success to N17 next season and beyond - a happy camp is paramount.

Football clubs lose top players every season and we may have to resign to losing one of our very finest. And besides maybe we should learn from a mistake of our arch rivals Arsenal. They held onto their star asset Thierry Henry for one season too long, losing out massively in the cash department when he was sold to Barcelona for half the price they could have sold up for just a year earlier.

All the signs are pointing to a sale.

Let the auction begin.