Berbatov and Keane want to leave, Levy admits
Daniel Levy admits Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane could leave the Lane
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Monday, 21, Jul 2008 10:59
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has admitted that strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have both expressed a wish to leave the club this summer.
Speculation has surrounded the futures of both men - who were expected to be key players in Spurs' bid for domestic and European success next season - for some weeks.
And it appears the Spurs players have been unsettled by talk in the media emanating from Manchester United and Liverpool, who have said they are interested in signing Berbatov and Keane, respectively.
"I have absolutely no wish to sell either player and to date we have not accepted any offer for either," Levy said.
"However, when a player's head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence.
"This is the situation we now have on our hands, with both Dimitar and Robbie having made it clear that they wish to leave for Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively."
Last week Levy hit out at the Champions League clubs, calling United manager Sir Alex Ferguson a "hypocrite" for complaining over Real Madrid's public declarations of interest in Cristiano Ronaldo while employing the same tactic with Berbatov.
And it seems Keane is also due to leave White Hart Lane after similar public discussion by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over a possible approach for the Republic of Ireland international.