Spurs 'frustrate' United on Berbatov
Manchester United's attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham is being frustrated because the north London club are still smarting over Michael Carrick's departure for Old Trafford two summers ago, a source close to the player has exclusively told Observer Sport. Reports have estimated that Spurs are asking for as much as £30m for Berbatov, which according to the source is a purposefully inflated price designed to inform United they do not want to sell to them. 'United did to Spurs what Real Madrid are currently doing over Cristiano Ronaldo by forcing the club's hand,' the source said.
But the claim was denied by a Spurs executive who insisted there is 'no bad blood between the clubs'. And if United are to land the Bulgarian they may have to find more than £30m and pay a fee far in excess of the record for a British transfer - £29m by Manchester United to Leeds for Rio Ferdinand in 2002 - as it is understood Manchester City had a £32m offer turned down last summer.
Berbatov wants Champions League football next season. United provide this and it is thought that the Bulgarian striker, who has scored 27 goals in 69 Premier League appearances for Spurs, favours playing under Sir Alex Ferguson. 'He definitely wants to leave but Spurs do not want to sell to United because of Michael Carrick,' the source said. 'So, the problem is the price. But the other thing for Spurs is that no other big club is interested.'
Carrick was sold for £17m in 2006, a price Spurs hoped would deter United. Despite the claim that Spurs were angered when the 26-year-old was still prised away, the Spurs executive said: 'Michael Carrick was a different situation. He had a year left on his contract and wanted to move his family closer to home.
'Dimitar Berbatov has two years left on his contract with an option of a further two years, which is our option. It's not in our interest to sell, especially to another Premier League club, whichever one it might be.'
United are also keen to sign Argentina striker Carlos Tevez on 'a long-term contract, but we are not in a rush. We know we have time,' a club official said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/29/manchesterunited.tottenhamhotspur