Dimitar Berbatov’s days in Manchester United seem numbered as contract talks break down
Dimitar Berbatov and Manchester United could not agree on contract terms with the negotiations reported to have broken down. The departure of the Barclays Premier League’s top scorer seems imminent now.
The Bulgarian was set to be handed a two-year contract extension since his current deal is due to expire at the end of next year. After initial negotiations took place in mid-December, 2010, both parties were confident that it was a done deal.
However, Berbatov was informed of a downgraded offer when the negotiations resumed after Christmas. Although the terms were improved, his contract was reduced to a one year rolling deal.
Manchester United is ready to increase Berba’s salary to £120,000 per week, an impressive 50% increment of £40,000, from his current wage of £80,000 per week.
This increase is a reward for the critical part the ex-Tottenham striker played in United’s 3 point gap at the top of the league table.
However, Manchester United’s top management has made no signal suggesting their inclination to secure Berbatov’s services for a long term.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 was unable to take part in the Champions League Semifinal first leg at Gelsenkirchen due to an ongoing groin injury.
He is displeased at being pushed down the pecking order in the months following his break due to injury, despite the fact that he is currently the top scorer in the English Premier League with his impressive 21-goal tally.
“The combination of Berbatov turning 30 [in January] and the rise of Javier Hernandez has changed things”, as reported by a source.
“Hernandez was not expected to perform as well as he has and the return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 to top form has also weakened Berbatov’s case for a longer contract”, said the source.
It is very likely that the Bulgarian striker will depart from the Theatre of Dreams by the end of the current season, serving the Red Devils for a difficult 3-year tenure.
While Sir Alex will be looking for a fresh replacement to partner Rooney and Hernandez, the best bargain for United would be to swap Berbatov for a good goalkeeper since Van der Saar is probably retiring at the end of this season.
Reports have linked http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Neuer-c23424 with United in a swap deal for Berbatov plus 12 million pounds.
Although the Red Devils have reached a deadlock with Berbatov, they are full of confidence that Hernandez will soon sign an advanced deal of five years in light of his wonderful debut season.
The Mexican is set to follow the tracks of veteran players such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Fletcher-c10361, all of whom have agreed to a new contract in the past few months.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 has still not decided whether to accept a one year contract extension or retire.
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