Premier League clubs are gearing up for the month-long January
transfer window, some seeking to tweak their squad as they press
for the title and others hoping to add players in the fight to stay
in England's most lucrative competition.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked
with players as they try to overtake Arsenal at the top of the
standings, while Sunderland and Fulham are among those in the
market for new talent in a desperate attempt to avoid
relegation.
United has leading Premier League scorer Cristiano Ronaldo,
Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha vying for places in
attack, but is still being linked with Tottenham strikers Dimitar
Berbatov and Jermain Defoe.
Tottenham has been expected to dabble in the market after a poor
start to the season that led to it switching coaches, but
speculation has now switched to whether it will be selling.
Berbatov hit four goals in Saturday's 6-4 win over Reading and
his agent has been quoted by British dailies as saying the player
wants to leave.
"Dimitar wants to fulfill his potential and win trophies now,"
Emil Dantchev was quoted as saying by papers. "Fans must understand
Dimitar is 27 next month and time is running out for him to play
for a club that can match his ambition."
United has long been interested in the Bulgaria striker, whose
unpredictability, skill and awareness have brought plaudits and 34
goals in less than 18 months with Tottenham, while Bayern Munich
and AC Milan are also possible destinations.
The last time United wanted Tottenham's top player, it had to
pay 18 million pounds (US$36.1 million) for midfielder Michael
Carrick in 2006. With Berbatov a more glamorous signing, it is
clear any suitor would have to pay more to come up with what
Dantchev called "an offer that suits his current club."
Berbatov's teammate Robbie Keane leads Premier League scoring
for the full year with 19 goals - one more than Ronaldo - so the
Bulgaria striker's departure would probably not be disastrous for
Spurs.
London's Evening Standard reported that United could
offer defender Wes Brown and 10 million pounds (US$20 million) for
Defoe, who has started just one Premier League match this season
but still scored three goals.
Chelsea is seeking cover for the injured John Terry and Frank
Lampard, and may also try to strengthen its squad because it is set
to lose key players Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Michael
Essien during the January 20-February 10 African Cup of
Nations.
The Blues are among several clubs linked with a move for Bolton
striker Nicolas Anelka, who has hit 10 of the struggling club's 22
goals this season and could also end up at United or Manchester
City.
Liverpool is 10 points behind Arsenal after Sunday's 0-0 draw at
City and could also dip into the market to revive its foundering
challenge.
"We will bring the things we need," Rafa Benitez said.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 2, 2008)