Berbatov deal looking likely

Dimitar Berbatov looks increasingly likely to complete a move to Old Trafford in the near future. The Bulgarian international was left on the bench on Saturday afternoon as Spurs started their new Premier League campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough. Reports suggest that the player has handed in a transfer request.

Speculation on Friday night suggested Berbatov requested to leave White Hart Lane - and the following day he found himself left out of Tottenham's starting XI for the league opener at the Riverside.

Sir Alex Ferguson's interest in the forward is one of the worst kept secrets in football - and Emil Dantchev, the player's agent, has stoked the fire on numerous occasions by openly discussing United's pursuit of his client.

United are believed to have tabled a £20million offer for Berbatov - but Spurs want a bigger fee, and are also holding out for other bidders with Juande Ramos anxious not to sell his prize asset to a Premier League rival.

Tottenham do not want to sell Berbatov but, at the same time, won't want to retain a player who wants to leave the club.

Berbatov played the final twenty minutes on Saturday and was treated to a mixed reaction from the travelling Spurs fans as he took to the field. His performance was typically refined but the player's attitude came into question following his club's 2-1 defeat.

Spurs remain tight-lipped on the issue and assistant manager Gustavo Poyet told the BBC that he'd "wait and see" whether Berbatov stayed in North London. It's looking increasingly likely that he won't be in the capital much longer.