Spurs line up Santa Cruz to replace Berbatov

• zocoss

  14 Jul 08, 10:11

  Spurs line up Blackburn striker Roque to replace United-bound Berbatov
  

   

  

   

  Manchester United's move for Dimitar Berbatov edged closer last night when it emerged that Tottenham have identified Roque Santa Cruz as the man to replace their hit-man. United chief executive David Gill returns from holiday today to take charge of the champions' attempts to persuade Spurs to sell their Bulgaria striker.

  United have already had a £20million bid rejected but boss Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to sign Berbatov, knowing the player is desperate to complete his dream move to Old Trafford. Ferguson is also aware that neighbours Manchester City had a bid of £32m for Berbatov rejected in May.

  However, the United manager is confident that, given the striker's burning desire for a return to Champions League football, an offer of around £25m will persuade Spurs to do business, with the fee possibly rising to £30m with performance related add-ons. Ferguson will now leave the haggling to Gill while he takes charge of United's pre-season trip to South Africa on Wednesday. 

   

  Spurs are already preparing for the new season at a five-star golf resort in south-east Spain. Berbatov could feature in a training match against Tavernes today, with his final game for the north London club possibly being against Hercules of Alicante next week.

  With Liverpool eager to sign £20m-rated Robbie Keane and manager Juande Ramos ready to let Darren Bent leave for around £12m , Spurs could have a completely new strikeforce next season, led by Santa Cruz.

  Ramos is believed to favour playing a lone striker with three men in support and has made the Blackburn man his top priority as the target man, although he may face competition from Arsenal. The manager plans to make Luka Modric and Giovanni dos Santos two of the three and wants Espanyol forward Luis Garcia or Blackburn's David Bentley to complete the trio.

• reyes

  14 Jul 08, 11:58

  Transfer fees these day has gone crazy.

   

  robbie worth £20million ?? 

  i think he worth like £8million.

   

  Darren Bent leave for around £12m ??

  i think he worth like £5million. given his injury trouble and off form.