There was a strange story in a recent edition of The Telegraph that suggested Sir Alex Ferguson may be willing to let his Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov go on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The logic behind these claims is that Berbatov has found himself so frozen out of Manchester United’s first team plans in recent times, that he has simply become a wage drain for the club. When it comes to the pecking order he simply can’t beat Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.
Things came to a head in last season’s Champions League final, where he was left out of the squad despite being their top scorer. This season has seen him start just one Premier League game and he’s sure to be considering his options when it comes to his future.
The Bulgarian has just six months left on his contract with Manchester United and if he hasn’t agreed terms with the club by the summer, he will be able to leave as a free transfer.
Considering that Berbatov is picking up £100,000 a week at Old Trafford, there’s every chance they’ll look to sever ties completely and offer him to other clubs next summer as a free transfer. Another option is that United negotiate a new deal with Berbatov that sees him stay on earning less wages.
Whether Berbatov would agree to stay at the club, play third or fourth fiddle and pick up less wages remains to be seen. My feeling is that given his age, he’d be keen to move on to a club that could offer him regular game time.
So where could his future lie? Two clubs in need of a striker are Tottenham and Arsenal. The two London sides have both been linked with numerous forwards in recent times and speculation will only grow this January. Spurs need a world-class striker who isn’t just with them on loan, whilst Arsenal need somebody who can play alongside Robin Van Persie.
Could Dimitar Berbatov be just the man both teams need?
The fact that he’s been frozen out at Manchester United shouldn’t be held against him. He’s still a natural goalscorer with excellent technique (always the last thing to go for footballers) and he’d be an asset for any side. United just happen to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to strikers.
My feeling is that he’d to a great job for either side and that he’d constitute the exact kind of Wengerian bargain we’re all used to him plucking from the transfer market.
But what’s your take? Will Berbatov leave United at the end of the season? Would Tottenham or Arsenal be a good destination?
Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
After his back heal goal Ferguson wont let him go cheaply
Sir Alex is a fool if he let’s berbatov go.
Sir Alex should be selling Evans,Carrick,Anderson, Fletcher.
Da Silva brothers spend more time recovering from injuries are they really worth it.
Send Diouf,Machada Pogba on laon.
Sir alex seems to foret the 6-2 loss to Man City or the 3 losses to Barcelona how can we compete with a weak mid field or players that are injured most of the time.
Carrick seems to get a lot of praise now(he is only playing because UTD are playing weaker teams when UTD play top teams Carrick is lost)
His pass rate is excellent 97%.(95% goes back to defenders)
Don’t understand the criticism of Carrick at all, I really don’t.
I think you might have been on the ‘puff’ mate, regarding Berbatov leaving United?Source, not of yer wacky baccy.Where you heard this?
Fergie could be very clever and use him as a make weight in a deal for a possible German or Belgian playing in France. He has to leave in Jan and I can’t see Utd letting him go for free unless he has already told them that’s his plan.
Berbatov would be very grateful if he start once every 4 or 5 games for Arsenal, or coming in as a sub. He wouldn’t take things for granted anymore. Rosicky, Benayoun, and Arteta are players that would give everything now because of their ages and time are not with them now. Look at Ramsey, he is young and merely a passenager now and I don’t think he cherish about his auto first choice in the first eleven. Can you remember when was the last time he scored or assisted in the PL?
Utd have a one way option they can trigger at any time and extend his contract by 1 year. NO way they will let him go on a free, makes no sense from a footballing or financial point of view.
Why are United not linked with Beckham??
Midfield crisis and he´s available on free transfer and would probably play for free….
That fact surely must tickle Fergies nose.
They would sell enough shirts to buy a Star midfielder next season at any price…
I would love to see Becks back in Red….Just do it!
What? Sir Alex to let Berbatov leave? No i think if Alex buy creative midfielders Berbatov will be back to the starting XI squad