Berbatov to join Man Utd in return for Saha, Brown plus cash?

Today's Papers / Top Dog / 19 December 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

• Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
• Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
• Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

It's transfer window time - just a few days to go and speculation starts moving into overdrive. The Daily Mirror and Daily Express both lead on a Manchester United bid to sign Dimitar Berbatov for £6million plus Wes Brown and Louis Saha. It's little secret that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Berbatov in the summer and if that's the case he doesn't often give up. John Cross picks up the story from the Tottenham end, Manchester man Richard Tanner has heard the same thing in the North, and extra squad strength would help United's European dreams - they are as long as [7] to win the Champions League. But the Mail has a tale which could wreck the plan. They've heard Brown is waiting to join Newcastle on a free when he's out of contract in the summer!

Cruft's:

The Sun -- I've nicked Nick - Andrew Dillon says Chelsea believe they're certain to sign Nicolas Anelka in the January window. That will not only give them a replacement for Didier Drogba during the African Cup of Nations but a genuine partner when he gets back. So is it too late for Chelsea to get back in the title race at [7.6]?

Pedigree Chum:
Daily Mail - Stuff the shirt - Jamie Carragher gives Fabio Capello a swift dose of reality. He rather likes his breaks with the family during international weeks and he can't see that changing. Capello's tub thumping hard man routine might have given the right sound bites when he took over, but you worry how many more stars might decide to "retire" if they get upset in training.

Daily Star - Capello: Find me a keeper - Brian Woolnough says Fabio Capello has identified his first problem, the lack of a top class goalkeeper. Worrying that Carlo Cudicini, who now qualifies through residence, is on his list of potentials. The FA have made all those noises about clubs picking too many foreigners and now we could end up needing quotas of English players in the England team!

Daily Star - Rafa won't pick big two - Steven Gerrard is definitely out of Liverpool's Carling Cup trip to Chelsea with an illness and Rafa Benitez won't pick Fernando Torres to give him a rest. Makes Chelsea a promising home win at [2.32] especially as Michael Ballack is returning (or should that be despite Ballack's return?)

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Learn English? Fab's men can't be bothered - Fabio Capello's fitness coach Massimo Neri is quoted suggesting he won't live in England and won't bother learning the language either. Top Dog hopes he'll change his mind, if only to avoid being mis-translated in the way that has obviously happened here!

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Defoe has quick Juan - Thomas is Sore loser - Silva double for Gunners - Juande's ten heroes - Gold won't rush to sell Blues - Evra wants new United deal - Marcello Lippi on Capello - Ballack's earned £4.3m since he last played for Chelsea

Daily Express - Saha swop for Berbatov - Santa has more gifts for Rovers - Roque shows he's heavyweight - Tottenham make light of Zokora's red - Ballack ready to Grant wish - Rafa won't play risk with stars - Aidy Boothroyd interview

Daily Star - Jermain sub fury - Weng's Ed man nips in - Hell for Sven - Stew to stay put at Boro - Jewell won't give up without a battle - Kanu return for Harry

Daily Mirror - Avram's blast for FA - Eriksson gets new quarter pounding - Santa's extra special - Francesco Totti on Capello - Why England had to look abroad - Rafa won't risk stars at Chelsea

Daily Mail - Ten man Tottenham book Cup semi slot - Santa flies in as Rovers claw back from brink - Ballack back - Avram urges FA to protect players - January sales key to future of Benitez - Arrigo Sacchi on Capello - Two page special on the search for young English talent

Tags: Berbatov, Champions League betting, January transfer window