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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:

Several papers follow yesterday's Daily Express back page lead where Harry Harris claimed Spurs had put a fee of £35million on Dimitar Berbatov. The Daily Star and Daily Mail both say it's £31million, while the Mirror claims he's not for sale at all and Tottenham have rung both Chelsea an Manchester United to tell them so. It's a familiar January dance. Remember how Charlton were never going to sell Scott Parker, and Louis Saha would only leave Fulham over Chris Coleman's dead body? Spurs are trying to talk the price up but expect a deal if somebody offers £25million plus extras.

Cruft's:

Daily Star - Hutton snubs Spurs - Rangers right back Alan Hutton has turned down a £9million move to Spurs even though he would have doubled his £30,000 a week wages. Veteran Glasgow based reporter Andy McInnes says it's because there's a chance to join Manchester United as Gary Neville's long term replacement on the horizon for the 23-year-old.

Daily Star - Deano feels the squeeze - Duncan Wright broke the story on Monday morning that Dean Ashton wanted talks about his future, and now reveals that Alan Curbishley would make him no promises about either his place in the team or more cash in his contract. Wright is clearly being well briefed about what's happening at with Upton Park's most prized player - and it makes you wonder if his agents are trying to alert Chelsea that he could be for sale.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Express - Arsenal will be rock solid without me - Kolo Toure tells Frank Wiechula that the Gunners won't miss him when he goes to the African Cup of Nations. He and Emmanuel Eboue could be gone for up to six weeks leaving Phillipe Senderos or Johan Djourou as partners for William Gallas. Betfair punters are not so sure that Arsenal will be so strong without the player Arsene Wenger calls a real rock. The leaders are still [2.86] for the title

Daily Mirror - I've 17 Cup finals to play and this is not one of them - Dave Kitson said he doesn't give two s**ts about the FA Cup and boss Steve Coppell clearly doesn't either. Spurs have now shortened to [1.43] a home win tomorrow and it looks like guaranteed money against Reading's reserve side.

Daily Mirror - Clarke turned Chelsea air blue - Interesting insight from Martin Lipton on the half time rollicking that turned round Chelsea's New Year's Day win at Fulham. It was number two Steve Clarke who blistered the dressing room walls, and then Avram Grant who quietly pointed out the tactical changes. The duo clearly work together. It's [5] Chelsea will need another rollicking at half time by being level with QPR before they go on to win in the FA Cup

The Sun - Grant fear over Terry - The Sun has John Terry on their payroll and consistently get first news on anything to do with the England skipper. Andrew Dillon reveals Chelsea fear his ankle injury may keep him out for the rest of the season and that's why they signed Serbian Branislav Ivanovic.

The Sun - Meg puts out welcome Matt - Martin Blackburn says Bolton were talking to Portsmouth defender come wide man Matt Taylor over a £3million deal. Extra quality for Bolton who are now [5.8] for relegation having been odds on before Megson took over.

Daily Mail - Capello's up for the Cup - Neil Ashton reports that England's new manager will be starting work two days early so as to take in Aston Villa's third round tie with Manchester United. Word is he rates Villa's Gabby Agbonlahor highly. Perhaps he fancies backing the home win at [4.5]!

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Star - Vill will be new Tevez - Derby's new Argentine striker reckons he can do for them what Carlos Tevez did for West Ham last season and inspire a miracle run. Sounds like he's answering a very well angled question! The Rams now [1.17 to finish rock bottom and [1.04] to be relegated.

Daily Express - Is he really worth £75m? - Having put a price tag on Berbatov yesterday, Harry Harris now says Manchester United have told Real Madrid they want £75million for Cristiano Ronaldo. Or that agents who claim to be working for the Spanish giants have been told by agents who claim to work for Manchester United that it's £75m. Or a bloke down the pub met a bloke from another pub who said he could be sold for that much. Or something, anyway . . .

Today's other stories:

The Sun - £35m or bust -- Sam must stay says Nicky Butt - We've got to pull our socks up says Steve Finnan - Ramos says Spurs must keep Dimi - Chasetown FA Cup feature - Stelios on why he kissed ref Howard Webb

Daily Express - Record bid will net Dimi - Life without bars for Barton - Butt backs Sam to get out of jail - Ricardo Rocha interview - FA Cup spotlight on Havant - Gareth Barry on Villa chances - Cameron Jerome interview

Daily Star - Berba's yours for £31m - Luigi De Canio interview - Don't score early or we'll get thumped says Agbonlahor - Butt behind Big Sam - Finnan's home groan

Daily Mirror - Hands off say Spurs on Dimi - Deal off as Hutton turns down Spurs - Benitez looks doomed - Sam on brink - Chasetown FA Cup feature - Battle of the billionaires focus on QPR - Everton plan new loan move for Manuel Fernandes

Daily Mail - Barton in crisis talks - We've got to back Sam says Butt - League comes first says Coppell - Chasetown chase the dream - £31m the starting price for Berbatov - I never want to leave Chelsea says Lampard - Adam Pearson interview - Chris Coleman column

Tags: Betfair's Top Dog, Dimitar Berbatov sale, January transfer window, Premiership betting