United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to sell his £30million striker Dimitar Berbatov this summer and Bayern Munich – who knocked United out of the Champions League, are monitoring the situation. The German giants are closely looking at the possibility of offering the Bulgarian an escape route out of Old Trafford.
Despite interest from other Premier League clubs, Berbatov does not want to play for another English side. Instead, the former Spurs striker is eyeing up a return to Germany this summer. Bayerns Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal is known to be a long admirer of Berba who spent five years at Bayer Leverkusen before signing with Spurs.
Fergie will have six strikers when Javier Hernandez arrives from Chivas and although United spent £30m when they signed Berbatov from Tottenham in 2008, they will receive a fraction of that if they decide to cash in.
He has just two years left on his Old Trafford contract and tellingly, United have made no attempt to begin talks over an extension. Most players are given an indication by chief executive David Gill two years before the end of their contract that talks will soon begin.
Instead Berbatov is sweating on his future and fears that he will be the fall guy if United fail to land the Premier League. Berbatov started on the bench against Manchester City yesterday, replacing Wayne Rooney in the 75th minute. His 12 goals this season rank the Bulgarian 11th on the Premier League scorers’ list.
While Berbatov could soon be on the way to Germany, Ferguson is convinced that Rooney will sign a bumper new £150,000 a week contract before he jets off to the World Cup. United’s England striker has two years left on his deal and Spanish giants Real Madrid are reported to be preparing an incredible £90MILLION bid for him.
United chief executive David Gill hopes to rush through a five year deal, complete with lucrative image rights bonuses, to keep the star striker out of Real’s clutches. Rooney, 24, is in the form of his life and has scored 34 goals this season.
On top of his contract, United want to offer him separate bonuses if he becomes FIFA World Player of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, wins the European Golden Boot or finishes as Premier League top scorer. United officials, desperate to give their supporters some good news, are keen to announce the deal before the summer’s big tournament begins. United wants his future, which will continue to be at Old Trafford, settled well before the start of next term.
There were fears that a successful World Cup could catapult Rooney into the clutches of another club but the striker has assured United he is staying. He is thriving in his role up front and is determined to become one of the club’s greatest players.
Despite fears that United are falling behind the likes of Barcelona, Ferguson is convinced his team is still in development. The Red Devils do not want the player to be distracted in South Africa with prolonged contractual negotiations.
He will also leave for a holiday straight after the tournament and will not return for pre season training until the end of July. Instead the club are determined to push the deal through before he joins up with the England squad in mid May.
Is Rooney or ANY other player worth a £150,000 a week contract?
