The rumours regarding Spurs star Dimitar Berbatov’s move to Manchester United are gathering pace, although still lacking any real proof.

Martin Jol is battling to hang onto the star striker after Sir Alex’s side lodged a £21million bid for the Bulgaria international (Daily Mail). The report then goes on to say that all offers have been rebuffed so far and Spurs put a £40m price tag on the 6ft 2in forward, which in today’s market may not be high enough to scare off the opposition.

Now, I am not sure if Dimitar is unhappy at Spurs and I don’t know if talk of his sale has any connection to whether Jol is nearing the sack. What I do know is that United need a striker, and therefore every paper and website is linking any forward, both living or dead, to the club and this rumour is just another example of this situation.

'As one half of north London shows how best to have their board breed a media circus with its cack-handed mistreatment of Jol, the Gunners will hope to sew up a deal that will keep their inspirational boss at the helm'


Oh yes, and the Daily Star reckon Berbatov is also wanted by Real Madrid - a side who have already spent £60m plus and have a great many talented front-men already. If I were a Spurs fan and Dimitar really did want to leave White Hart Lane, which I don’t buy, then I would be very angry at the current instability caused by the board and would be uncertain for the future. Let's hope it's all just paper-talk.

Bungling keeper Paul Robinson has blasted Tottenham's board over their treatment of Jol (various). The England shot-dropper said: "I'm very disappointed with what's been happening at the club. To see how far MJ has taken the club and the strides he has taken, to then go behind his back to seek other options is very disappointing because the manager has got the full support of the players.”

It is good to see the support for Jol is as evident in the dressing room as it is in the stands at White Hart Lane, and whilst Robbo may find it hard to effectively deal with 30-yard cross-shots (why didn’t he just tip it over the damn bar!), at least he is coming to the rescue of his club coach. It seems that Jol is safe for the time being but expect to hear more about this story because I am sure the big gruff Dutchman is seething about the treatment he has received recently.

Udinese are set to receive bids for Antonio Di Natale from West Ham and Manchester City (Sportinglife.com). The 29-year-old Italian international is a pretty consistent performer in Serie A, managing double figures in goals in each of the last three seasons. He works hard and I can see why Alan Curbishley and Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested.

What I would question is what the Naples-born striker can offer to these squads at present, City, for instance, have Darius Vassell and Georgios Samaras to count on - oh, I see, now I understand! But seriously, I think he would be a good addition to the playing staff, though he would surely be low down the pecking order of both sides. And at this point in his career, having just got back into Roberto Donadoni’s national team, would  Antonio be happy about that?

Former Arsenal star Davor Suker says Eduardo da Silva will outshine Liverpool's Fernando Torres in the Premier League this season. "He is just as good as Torres and we will see which player makes the bigger impact. They have got a big year ahead of them,'' said Suker (tribalfootball.com). Whilst I agree that Eduardo may well do well at the Emirates this season, I will take a wager from Davor that the Spaniard will hit the back of the net more often than the Cro-zilian. Anyone got his mobile number?

Staying at the Emirates, which according to the Daily Star is what Arsene will be doing, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed he expected Wenger to agree a new contract within the next week. That will indeed be great news. As one half of north London shows how best to have their board breed a media circus with its cack-handed mistreatment of Martin Jol, the Gunners will hope to sew up a deal that will keep the inspirational boss at the helm.

Roma defender Sammy Kuffour is ready for talks with Sunderland (various). The Ghanaian former Bayern player, will always be etched in the memory as the despondent centre-back lying on the deck following the 1999 Champions League mugging by Manchester United. I know exactly how he felt, I had put a nice sum on the Germans winning that one!

Anyway, Roy Keane could do with some solidity at the back, especially following the dire display his backline gave against Wigan last weekend. This signing could be the kind of deal that can be the difference between the Black Cats finishing just above the bottom three and pushing their way into the top ten.