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.

The European Championships look certain to be expanded from 16 to 24
teams after the proposal yesterday won universal support from Uefa's 53
member countries. A final decision will be taken by Uefa's executive
committee in September, but there was no opposition to the plan when it
was raised at a meeting of association presidents and general secretaries in
Vienna today.

The change would come into force for Euro 2016 and was originally put
forward by the Scottish FA last year. Their chief executive Gordon Smith said
he was delighted by the response. 'It's something Uefa have seen no real
disadvantage to - it will only means a few extra days of the tournament and
there is no downside in terms of loss of revenue.'

Cardiff have strengthened their squad with the signings of Scotland striker
Ross McCormack from Motherwell and Everton defender Darren Dennehy.
Meanwhile their south Wales rivals Swansea have made their second signing
in two days, securing a deal for Argentine defender Federico Bessone on a
free transfer from Espanyol, following the arrival of Mark Gower from
Southend 24 hours earlier.

Guardian

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