Bentley in, Berbatov out in transfer merry-go-round

Published: 12:43 PM July 16, 2008 Updated: 10:25 AM February 20, 2021

SPURS, who could start the new season without top strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, are reported to have agreed a £17million deal for Blackburn s David Bentley, writes Patrick Mooney. Bentley s arrival at the Lane will probably also see unsettl

SPURS, who could start the new season without top strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, are reported to have agreed a £17million deal for Blackburn's David Bentley, writes Patrick Mooney.

Bentley's arrival at the Lane will probably also see unsettled goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who is not in Spain with the rest of the squad, move in the opposite direction, although he has also attracted interest from Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

Bentley, who missed his team's 2-1 friendly win at Macclesfield on Monday, has expressed a desire to move to London - despite Villa having had a bid of £15 million turned down by Blackburn.

Coach Juande Ramos is planning to play a lone striker next season and that paves the way for Berbatov and Keane to leave.

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The Bulgarian is set to move to Manchester United for £28million while Liverpool remain intent on landing Keane despite Tottenham insisting on a £20million fee.

But Spurs, who are looking at Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz and Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko as possible replacements, will not allow Berbatov to move until they have a replacement.