SAF on a striker: "But we do need experience." - Berbatov?

MadDogg

Drogba is 3 years older, hence at an age where his price does go down, and wouldn't fit in here (wouldn't combine as well with Rooney and Tevez and would demand to start every big match). But he'll still go for at least 20m if he leaves Chelsea. Ronaldinho is a drugged-up sicknote who is nothing like the player he was, and his team want to get rid of him. They still want over 20m for him. Huntelaar is unproven outside of Holland, but will still be at least 15m. Benzema looks unlikely to be sold, but if he does it'll be for about 35m, more than Berbatov.

Eto'o also has had some injury problems, and has had trouble with the Barca boardroom and they may be looking to sell. He seems to want to go. Hence, he'll be sold for quite a bit less than they would've got if they wanted to keep him. Once again, he'd probably demand to play every match. Despite this, and being the same age as Berbatov, he will go for an absolute minimum of 17-18m, and quite likely into the mid 20's.

That leaves just Villa and Berbatov. About the same age, about the same class, and in similar situations (both having endured disappointing seasons with the club and tempted to leave, but not desperate if they feel their club will step up to their ambitions). Both, although obviously wanting to play as much as possible, would be happy enough to sit on the bench sometimes and rotate between a three man strikeforce. The fact that Villa is in the La Liga means he will go for less as opposed to a player in the Premier League, but for us Berbatov has the advantage of being proven in the PL and more the kind of player we need.

Wibble

As long as it isn't Owen I'll be happy*

* Not true if we sign someone I don't approve of.

RedThaiDevils#7

Exactly, no point in getting rid of an injury prone then buying another injury prone to replace. Surely Fergie has his mind on someone, someone that isn't Owen.

Alex

Although I hope we get Benzema but anyone who thinks Berbatov wouldnt just slide right in and do is well is blind he is pure class

GlastonSpur

Although I still think Berbatov will leave this summer, maybe - just maybe - he won't:

"GUS POYET believes Dimitar Berbatov could yet remain at White Hart Lane despite speculation suggesting the Bulgarian is on his way out of the club.

A number of top European clubs, including AC Milan and Barcelona, are known to be interested in the striker, but Poyet has quelled rumours of an imminent move.

"I was waving as well and I am not leaving," Poyet said after the Spurs squad completed a lap of honour.

"It is difficult now. There are going to be too many rumours about people coming and going.

"They are under contract and we expect everyone to be here (my emphasis). What happens in the next month and the month after we can talk about, but at the minute it is nothing."

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/spo...with_spurs.php

Ekeke

Berbatov :

Likes to drop off
Not blessed with pace
As much a creator as a scorer
27
Proven well in the premiership

Villa :

Likes to stay up top
Incredible pace
Top goalscorer in La Liga the year before last, created the most goals last year.
26
Not proven in the premiership.

With Manucho in the squad, I see Villa as being more what we need - a proper goal scorer and someone who links up well with team mates whilst playing as a the leading striker. Likes to play on the shoulder of the defender, killing defenders with his pace and killing keepers with his finishing technique.

Berbatov is taller and stronger, but Keane does all the leg work in front of him for Spurs. Rooney would have a similar role to right now with Tevez, where he has to lead the line and make the runs to stretch the defence. Berbatov will do it sparingly, but doesnt do it often for Spurs - and Rooney and Keane are very similar kinds of player.

lao

Since Benzema seems impossible, I'd reckon we end up with:

Rooney
Tevez
Berbatov
Saha / Manucho (depending on injuries and work permits)

Welbeck & Campbell sent on premiership loan to Stoke and Sunderland. Dong sent to give victims of the chinese earthquake autographs.

KingMinger22

No more than 20 million for Berbatov.

He's 28 - that's not young! We don't actually 'need' him. There are plenty of options and we only really need a back up striker.

He will wanna leave if we made a bid so let him cry his way out...

Over 20 million and its not a good investment.

lao

He's 28 in 8,5 months you imbecil. Try not to post "facts" if you haven't got them straight.

Younited.7

a) Rubbish-We need someone, "him" being the most suitable

b) Rubbish-There are not really (of his quality), we dont "only need a back-up striker. We have Manucho, Campbell and Wellbeck as "back-up strikers", we need some quality.

c) Rubbish-Somebody else will stump up the money, and we will miss out.

d) Rubbish-We will struggle to find a top class striker for less than that, and he is a top class striker.

kklm05

Fraizer Campbell looks promising. One more year in Hull? or loan him to Sunderland?

Don16

Berbatov would be ridiculously good in this team.

Sarni

Sunderland don't need him, they have Kenwyne Jones who's definitely a better striker and also Chopra who's probably better than Campbell as well. If they buy a striker, it certainly won't be an unproven youngster.

RedRover

Have you plucked that figure from the air at random?

What exactly do you mean by Investment - the player needed is a good investment because he'll bring success - tranfer targets are not decided upon beacause of any potential sell on value - we're not Wigan Athletic.

At 27 his age is also irrelevant - pro footballers can play on until at least 35 - especially when said player isn't reliant on his pace as a major part of his game.

I have my concerns about berbatov's attitude and workrate but he is certainly one of the few players in the PL with the required skill and ability to make an impression.

giggs-beckham

Full name Dimitar Berbatov
Date of birth 30 January 1981 (1981-01-30) (age 27)
Place of birth Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Playing position Striker


Id be happy with 18-20m at the most.

Elliott

Fraizer>>Chopra. If he continues the progress he's made over the last few seasons, he'll be a better striker than Jones this time next year. Future England international.

marcus agrippa

orly?

many a time we've seen one of our youngsters hailed as a future so-and-so, only for that not to happen.

i'd be more reserved if i were you.

VII

I think Milan will sign Berbatov.

Elliott

Orly? The fuck? I'd probably top myself if I were you. I'm not usually all that optimistic about the kids, but Campbell has something very rare about him. He's obviously a talented lad, but it's his "mentality" - professionalism, aggression, work rate - that IMO will set him apart in the end.

Ceks

I don't think Milan will pay what Spurs will ask for...

CockneyHammer

From what i've seen of him he didn't excite me

I'm more interested in Welbeck

I think Campbell is very hot and cold and will probably be sold at the end of next season

Classy Cannon

Villa would be magic for us, his pace & clinical finishing are just what we need. I'd hate to see him end up at Le Arse or the Dippers, he'd make a real difference to both their sides.

marcus agrippa

ronnie dazzler

not fair to make that comment yet. chopra scored 22 goals for Cardiff last season and has looked shit for Sunderland in PL. Campbell has scored 16 this season. Even Jones hasn't scored many or Earnshaw, or Marlon King. Championship scorers have a poor record in the PL

If he was real Man Utd world class talent, you could argue that he should have scored 25+ this season. He needs to progress a lot next year to even score 12/13 goals in PL next year. It's possible and hopefully, he will

& the future England international thing doesn't always count for much - darius vassell and Michael Ricketts are ex English internationals

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

Villa can't lead the line at United. So he isn't what we need. End of...

giggs-beckham

Rooney and berbatov upfront in a 442

Classy Cannon

Why can't he?

devilish

It would still be the 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 system with Rooney taking Tevez role and a new striker taking Rooney's role.