Berbatov set to stay with Spurs

Transfer Gossip: Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov looks set to disappoint Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool by signing…

Transfer Gossip:Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov looks set to disappoint Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool by signing a new deal at Tottenham.

The Daily Mirror reports that the 26-year-old is ready to follow the lead of White Hart Lane strike partner Robbie Keane, who penned a fresh £10m five-year contract yesterday, by committing himself to Spurs and landing a bumper new deal in the process.

Berbatov has been courted by a number of clubs following his outstanding debut season in the Premiership but has constantly stated that he is more than happy with life in north London.

Spurs are on the up after successive fifth-placed finishes in the top flight, and the former Bayer Leverkusen frontman seems almost certain to see if they can break into the top four next season and secure Champions League football.

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Muntari Pompey move delayed

Portsmouth's bid to break their transfer record with a £7million swoop for Ghana star Sulley Muntari has stalled over "minor details" in his contract.

But although the midfielder's Italian club, Udinese, claim the hold-up is over the player's personal demands, Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie has insisted the deal will be done by the end of the week.

Udinese appear to accept that Muntari, 22, is on his way to Fratton Park after reports that they put off Portsmouth with a price tag of £11million last season.

Udinese director Roberto Zanzi told the Portsmouth News: "Muntari has yet to agree personal terms with Portsmouth but we are very confident this will be finalised over the next few days."

And Storrie, who holds the purse-strings at Pompey and is just back from holiday abroad, said: "Talks are still ongoing.

"It is fine-tuning, just minor details really, but we are very hopeful they will be completed in the second half of this week.

Manager Harry Redknapp was expected to have Muntari - whom he has trailed for a year since the World Cup in Germany - on board soon after his first signing of the summer last Wednesday, French centre back Sylvain Distin.

Instead he moved to secure another free transfer in Icelandic defender Hermann Hreidarsson from relegated Charlton and is also following up several other interests while the Muntari deal - which would dwarf the £4.4million record fee Pompey paid for striker Benjani Mwaruwari - is concluded.

Meanwhile, Pompey have warned their Barclays Premiership rivals off midfielder Matt Taylor.

Storrie laughed off reports of putting a £5million valuation on the player who, last season, scored nine goals - most of them spectacular strikes.

"They are having a laugh," Storrie said. "We are not interested in selling Matt Taylor - and certainly not for that price. He is worth far more than £5million.

Liveprool eye Malouda

Liverpool will reportedly make a £10million bid for Lyon's French international Florent Malouda this week.

Manager Rafael Benitez held talks with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett last week, and was reassured that he would be given the money to pursue his summer transfer targets.

And the Daily Mirror understands Malouda is near the top of his wish-list, which also includes Sevilla's Daniel Alves, Gabriel Milito of Real Zaragoza and Barcelona's star striker Samuel Eto'o.

French footballer of the year Malouda has indicated he wants his future sorted quickly while Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists a deal, which would cost around £10-15million, must be done by the end of June.

Malouda said: "If nothing happens from now that means the clubs who have approached me are not convinced.

"If that's the case, there is no point in leaving - I don't want to go wherever. If I leave it will be under the best circumstances for me and for Lyon."

Villa set for Anfield raid

Aston Villa could be set for a double raid on Liverpool, according to reports.

The Liverpool Echo claims that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is planning to move for both Craig Bellamy and Australian winger Harry Kewell in the summer.

Liverpool apparently want as much as £12 million for Bellamy, but Kewell could be available at a knock-down price after injuries restricted him to just three substitute appearances last season.

Spurs are also reportedly interested in Kewell, as Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez looks to free up space and money in his squad for his summer transfer plans.

As well as having the signings of Andriy Voronin, Sebastian Leto and Lucas Leiva tied up, Benitez is chasing wingers Florent Malouda and Simao Sabrosa, as well as keeping tabs on a number of other targets.

The Echo claims that Benitez is also chasing Carlos Tevez and Roma's Brazilian winger Mancini, although those two players could cost in excess of £30 million.

It is still unclear how much Benitez will actually have to spend in the summer, hence why he is planning a clearout of his squad.

Robbie Fowler, Bolo Zenden and Mark Gonzalez are already on their way out, so combined with the sales of Kewell and Bellamy, Benitez could raise around £20 million through player sales alone.

Fergie looks to bolster attack

Manchester United are reportedly chasing Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

After sealing the deal to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves to Old Trafford - a move that could be completed on Tuesday - United boss Alex Ferguson has turned his attentions to bolstering his frontline.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Ferguson is keen on Spurs frontman Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian now looks set to stay at White Hart Lane.

The United boss will now concentrate his efforts on long-term target Huntelaar, who has scored a hugely impressive 60 goals in 74 appearances at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Ferguson will be particularly impressed with the striker's efforts in Europe, bagging nine goals in nine Champions League and UEFA Cup games.

However, the MEN claims that Ferguson has a back-up option to the Ajax frontman.

Huntelaar's replacement at former club Heerenveen, Brazilian Alfonso Alves, has been attracting a lot of attention for his performances in the Eredivisie last season.

He topped the Dutch scoring charts with 34 goals in 31 games, which included a remarkable five hat-tricks.

The 26-year old ended the season by netting four times on the final day against Feyenoord, and would probably be a slightly cheaper option than Huntelaar.