Berbatov moves closer to exit as contract talks break down

zocoss SG

Dimitar Berbatov’s contract talks with Manchester United have broken down and the Premier League’s leading scorer could be heading out of Old Trafford this summer.

Berbatov was told the club were ready to hand him a two-year extension to his current deal, which runs out in in June 2012, during initial negotiations just before Christmas and was confident of putting pen to paper before the end of the season.

But when the Bulgarian returned to the negotiating table earlier this year, the offer had been downgraded to a one-year rolling deal, albeit on improved terms.

United are prepared to hike his wages from £80,000-a-week (€90,000) to around £120,000-a-week (€135,000) as reward for his role in propelling the club to a six-point lead in the Premier League table.

However, there has been no indication from the Old Trafford hierarchy over the last six weeks that a longer contract will be on offer.

Berbatov, who did not travel with the squad to Gelsenkirchen for Tuesday night’s semi-final first leg against Schalke because of a groin injury, is unhappy that he has been relegated down the United pecking order in that time despite heading the Premier League scoring charts with 21 goals.

“The combination of Berbatov turning 30 [in January] and the rise of Javier Hernandez has changed things,” a source told Goal.com.

“Hernandez was not expected to perform as well as he has and the return of Wayne Rooney to top form has also weakened Berbatov’s case for a longer contract.”

Berba off? | United's top scorer could leave Old Trafford after contract talks break down

CKeer SG

I genuinely hope that he is sold.

Reasons:

1. Although he is the top scorer this season, his goals have been in start-stop motion. One moment he scores 5 goals, the next 5 matches he failed to find the net. Inconsistencies.

2. He's 30, definitely not much resale value left after this so why not let him go off earlier?

3. We're gonna have Macheda + Welbeck + Diouf back next season baring any departures.

Macheda cannot be looked upon as a young, raw striker any more after playing top flight football for 4 seasons already. Welbeck has developed over at his loan spell at Sunderland. Diouf may be sold but heck, United will still have Rooney and Chicharito to depend on as Owen is likely to move on too.

Reserves like Nicky Ajose (he did well at his loan spell at Bury) and Joshua King (Reserves top scorer if i'm not wrong) are also on the rise so why not take the risk and offload him? For all you know, he may only be a 1 season wonder.

TIB1167D SG

Whether they buy or not, I don't think it would be of any difference would it?

If they want to buy I'd say Oscar Cardozo or Falcao though.

iceFatboy SG

I genuinely hope that he is sold.

Reasons:

1. Although he is the top scorer this season, his goals have been in start-stop motion. One moment he scores 5 goals, the next 5 matches he failed to find the net. Inconsistencies.

2. He's 30, definitely not much resale value left after this so why not let him go off earlier?

3. We're gonna have Macheda + Welbeck + Diouf back next season baring any departures.

well, I always think that Berba gives MU another dimension to their play, a holding fwd who can outlet the ball to the sides or wait for the team to arrive to support the attack, but it seems to kill the pace and counter plays that MU thrives on.

not sure how much he can command on the transfer market, but hopefully, he can be used to get someone in return.

both ownes have to go, sadly, but in order to move fwd, MU needs to find fitter and healthier players.

Kiko on loan in SerieA, but he is not creating waves as per welbeck. And not sure whether MU can really depends on them as 2nd option if Rooney/Chirharito aren't firing on their cylinder as per an Ole or Terry as per the 99 UCL.

Rock^Star SG

I'd say tks berbatov for his services and patience. Just that he's too much of a start-stop goalscorer.