Benitez sizes up Berbatov in plan to shuffle attack
By Jason Burt
Published: 16 March 2007
Liverpool are weighing up an ambitious summer bid for the Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov, which could involve Peter Crouch moving back to White Hart Lane. The chances of Liverpool landing the 26-year-old Bulgarian are, however, extremely slim.
Berbatov signed a four-year-deal at White Hart Lane last summer, after moving for £10.9m from Bayer Leverkusen, and has already assured the club that he is happy and does not want to leave.
His agent, Emil Dantchev, was in London earlier this week and held talks with Spurs' sporting director, Damien Comolli. However, although Comolli was at pains to reassure Dantchev just how much the club values the player there was no need for the discussions to move on to Berbatov's future or, indeed, a new, improved contract. Dantchev is believed to have told Comolli that his client is not seeking a move and is happy to remain at Spurs for at least another season.
Berbatov's impressive form, with seven goals in seven games, including two in Wednesday's Uefa Cup victory over Braga, and 19 in 33 starts, has not gone unnoticed. Several Premiership clubs, as well as others in Spain and Italy, are monitoring the player with Liverpool believed to be showing the keenest interest.
Their manager, Rafael Benitez, appears willing to offload Crouch at the end of the season and with Robbie Fowler also leaving, and Craig Bellamy's future in doubt, the Spaniard intends to reshape his strike force. His main target remains Valencia's David Villa but the fee is likely to prove prohibitive.
Crouch started his career at Spurs, in 1998, although he did not make any first-team appearances before moving on to Queen's Park Rangers two years later. Crouch, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle United, is admired by the Tottenham manager, Martin Jol - although the Dutchman would certainly not want to trade Berbatov for the England striker even if he also received cash.
By Jason Burt
Published: 16 March 2007
Liverpool are weighing up an ambitious summer bid for the Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov, which could involve Peter Crouch moving back to White Hart Lane. The chances of Liverpool landing the 26-year-old Bulgarian are, however, extremely slim.
Berbatov signed a four-year-deal at White Hart Lane last summer, after moving for £10.9m from Bayer Leverkusen, and has already assured the club that he is happy and does not want to leave.
His agent, Emil Dantchev, was in London earlier this week and held talks with Spurs' sporting director, Damien Comolli. However, although Comolli was at pains to reassure Dantchev just how much the club values the player there was no need for the discussions to move on to Berbatov's future or, indeed, a new, improved contract. Dantchev is believed to have told Comolli that his client is not seeking a move and is happy to remain at Spurs for at least another season.
Berbatov's impressive form, with seven goals in seven games, including two in Wednesday's Uefa Cup victory over Braga, and 19 in 33 starts, has not gone unnoticed. Several Premiership clubs, as well as others in Spain and Italy, are monitoring the player with Liverpool believed to be showing the keenest interest.
Their manager, Rafael Benitez, appears willing to offload Crouch at the end of the season and with Robbie Fowler also leaving, and Craig Bellamy's future in doubt, the Spaniard intends to reshape his strike force. His main target remains Valencia's David Villa but the fee is likely to prove prohibitive.
Crouch started his career at Spurs, in 1998, although he did not make any first-team appearances before moving on to Queen's Park Rangers two years later. Crouch, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle United, is admired by the Tottenham manager, Martin Jol - although the Dutchman would certainly not want to trade Berbatov for the England striker even if he also received cash.
Comment