Berbatov eager to leave Spurs, agent claims

TOTTENHAM could face a fight to keep star striker Dimitar Berbatov during the January transfer window.

Chairman Daniel Levy insists the club will not listen to offers for key players during the transfer window, but Berbatov’s agent Emil Dantchev yesterday claimed he has spoken to Levy and told him the striker wants to leave if a “suitable” offer comes in.

The 26-year-old striker has rediscovered his stunning form for Spurs in recent weeks and fired four goals in the 6-4 win over Reading on Saturday. The Bulgarian striker will be looking to continue his rich vein of form against Aston Villa today.

However, Dantchev claims the player is keen to join a team with greater trophy-winning potential than the north Londoners.

The agent said: “I have already spoken to the Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and told him that if a club which corresponds to Dimitar’s class and ambition comes in with an offer which suits his current club in January, he would like to be allowed to go.

“Dimitar is OK at Tottenham. I would not say he is happy but his performances for the club are a testament to his commitment to the fans and his team-mates. He has never stopped trying and scoring goals to help the team. Fans must understand Dimitar is 27 next month and time is running out for him to play for a club which can match his ambition.

Spurs’ position could not be more contrasting, with Levy insisting: “Once again for the record, we are not a selling club, rather we are building for the future.

Levy added that he is not anticipating radical changes at White Hart Lane during the transfer window and stressed that Spurs will only look at “essential” deals.

Levy said: “Juande, (sporting director) Damien (Comolli) and I have reviewed the squad and Juande feels that we are not looking at any major changes. We are all clear that the January window is the worst time to buy quality players so we shall not be doing any business that is not essential.”

Meanwhile, Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies is hoping 2008 will be his year following a rollercoaster ride through 2007.

“Looking back, 2007 has been a bad year and a good year,” reflected Davies. “The highlight was signing for Villa, a great move for me, while the low was breaking my foot back in March. But now it is time to kick on with my football, and after half a year to forget and half to remember in 2007, hopefully 2008 will be a much better year for me.