Just when it appeared that Tottenham had seen off the many potential suitors of Dimitar Berbatov, along come Manchester United, rearing their undeniably ugly head. Whether or not the potential loss of Cristiano Ronaldo has jolted the English champions into action is hard to tell, although The Times reports that the Bulgarian has already been left in tears when the initial chance to join the Red Devils was rebuffed by his club.

LAST SUMMER, when Dimitar Berbatov learnt that Tottenham were to rebuff attempts by Manchester United to sign him, he was tearful. Spurs were on tour in sunny South Africa but clouds settled over their striker. Should Berbatov be back in South Africa six weeks from now the skies will be brighter. United play exhibition games there between July 19 and 26 and Sir Alex Ferguson is considering trying to get Berbatov in a red shirt by then.

Ferguson offered £25m for the Bulgarian a year ago and a similar sum may be sufficient now to prise him from White Hart Lane. Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s chairman, would strike a hard bargain, but Berbatov has just two years remaining on his contract and has indicated he will reject an extension, worth £70,000 a week, mooted by his employers. AC Milan are interested and Berbatov likes the idea of playing in Spain, but United are a long-held dream. Ferguson, having done background checks, is not put off by doubts about his temperament.

Indeed, when you have managed the likes of Wayne Rooney and Eric Cantona, the Bulgarian striker’s sullen demeanour would be taken with a pinch of salt by the Scot. The acquisition of Berba would go a long way to compensating for the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, if indeed the Portuguese forward leaves for Madrid. Can Spurs cling on to their jewel in the crown any longer?