Berbatov signing could signal the end for
Mido
Tottenham's decision to sign £10.9million Bulgaria international
Dimitar Berbatov appears likely to herald the departure from White
Hart Lane of Egyptian striker Mido following an 18-month
loan.
Spurs, who announced a new £34million sponsorship deal from
internet casino group Mansion earlier this week, have agreed to
splash out nearly a third of that amount to land the free-scoring
Berbatov from German club Bayer Leverkusen, although he still needs
to obtain a work permit.
The signing, which was announced on the Stock Exchange, will be
completed on July 1 when Mido's loan from Italian club Roma runs
out but there is no sign yet of any agreement between Spurs and the
muscular target man over a permanent deal.
Berbatov, at 6ft 2ins, is a similar build to Mido and was the
second highest scorer in the Bundesliga last season with 21 goals
in 34 games. He has agreed personal terms at Spurs, reportedly
worth £48,000 a week.
He said: 'Tottenham are a club building something special. The
squad has some terrific young players, an excellent manager and
coaching staff and I am looking forward to playing my part.'
Berbatov continued on Sky Sports News: 'I looked at the team, the
players and the coach Martin Jol is very good and that is the most
important thing to me - the coach being good with the player.
'And I've seen the games. From year to year Tottenham are getting
better and better and when I get here I hope we can play in the
Champions League next year.'
Berbatov also revealed he had been monitored for some time by the
north London club.
'They looked at me in many games. Tottenham were the club who stood
by me for six months and they wanted to buy me.
'This is important to me when somebody wants you and Martin Jol
said `I know you can do good here, you can do well here.'
'I will try my best. Tottenham are trying to do something special
and I want to be part of this club.'
Berbatov has also had a prolific international career, scoring 31
goals in 50 senior internationals, and has been voted Bulgarian
player of the year for the past four years.
However, he is coming to Tottenham against the advice of Bayer
Leverkusen's director of sport who believes he should be joining 'a
top club.'
Former German international striker Voller said: 'He should play
another year for us and wait for an offer from a top club. I have
nothing against Tottenham but a player should wait a bit until he
gets an offer from a top three club.
'But Tottenham are ready to pay the fee and so it is up to
Dimitar.'
Tottenham were one of the busiest in last summer's European
transfer market and Berbatov's arrival will not be the last for
Jol.
With veteran Edgar Davids another possible departure after just one
season and Jermain Defoe's future uncertain following interest from
Liverpool, Jol needs another midfielder and striker as well as
cover in defence to cope with the extra demands of the UEFA
Cup.
Mido, who scored twice on his Spurs debut against Portsmouth in
February last year, notched 11 goals in 23 starts for Tottenham
last term and terrorised defences with his strength in the air - a
perfect foil for wingers Aaron Lennon and Wayne Routledge.
But after returning from the African Nations Cup where he
spearheaded the hosts' triumph despite a series of disciplinary
clashes, he missed the vital last few weeks of the season with
groin and knee injuries.
Spurs are already Mido's eighth professional club at the age of 23
while Berbatov has been with Leverkusen for the last five
years.
Berbatov made his debut for CSKA Sofia at 18 but he started to make
his name the following season when he scored 14 goals in 27 league
games.
A run of nine goals in 11 games in 2000-01 was enough to persuade
Leverkusen to sign Berbatov in June 2001 and he appeared in the
Champions League final against Real Madrid at the end of that
season.
He was still only 18 when he made his international debut in
November 1999 and scored with his first touch in a competitive
game, a World Cup qualifier against Denmark, a year later.
Liverpool and Valencia made inquiries about him last summer but the
Anfield club settled instead on £7million Peter Crouch.
Tottenham's sporting director Damien Comolli said: 'There were a
number of clubs interested in signing Dimitar, clubs from France,
Spain and the Premiership. We are delighted he has chosen to join
us.
'He is not only a player with a proven track record for being able
to finish but also for creating scoring opportunities for
team-mates.'
