貝碧可能成為買Modric既交易籌碼
BERBATOV'S BAIT FOR MODRIC
DIMITAR BERBATOV may be used as bait by Sir Alex Ferguson in a bid to lure Luka Modric to Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge admirer of Luka Modric and has made the Tottenham star one of his main summer transfer targets.
Spurs are playing hardball over their prize asset after rejecting a £22m bid from Chelsea earlier this week as boss Harry Redknapp battles to keep him at White Hart Lane.
But this won’t deter Ferguson, who could now tempt Spurs with an offer of around £18m in cash plus Bulgarian star Berbatov in the hope of striking a deal.
Berbatov is keen to stay at Old Trafford and f ght for his place but has become surplus to requirements and was left heartbroken after being axed from Fergie’s Champions League Final squad.
His chances will remain limited next season and a return to his former club, who sold him to United in a record £30.7m deal in 2008, might appeal to him. Fergie knows Redknapp is keen to land a new striker and could be willing to do business.
The United boss may still make one last attempt to snatch Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan, while Blackpool’s Charlie Adam is another option available to him.
But Redknapp has warned he will only fl og Croatian star Modric if Spurs get an offer that is too good to refuse.
He said: “Luka is not for sale. If there has been a bid of £22m that is ridiculous. There are people being sold for £20m who are not fit to lace Luka’s boots.”
Modric signed a new deal at White Hart Lane last season but admits he could still leave and the chance of Champions League football with United will appeal.
The playmaker said: “If an offer comes which is good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is possible.”
Fergie, meanwhile, is closing in on an £8m deal to land rising French star Raphael Varane.
The Lens defender, 18, is also a target of United’s bitter rivals Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain but Fergie is understood to be in pole position.
Defender Wes Brown has snubbed a move to Sunderland, while his United team-mate John O’Shea is expected to follow suit.
United have allowed £7m fl op Bebe to join Turkish club Besiktas on loan, while United have also confirmed that Owen Hargreaves has left the club.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/196359/Berbatov-s-bait-for-Modric/