Wednesday's transfer grapevine
Is Atletico Madrid frontman Diego Forlan set for another crack at the Premier League?
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Wednesday, 20, Aug 2008 11:20
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City look set to enter a bidding war for a striker well-known to English football fans as both clubs look to increase their options.
Spurs look set to lose the services of Dimitar Berbatov before the end of the week after agreeing in principle to a price with the Bulgarian's main suitors Manchester United.
And to plug the gap, Juande Ramos has set his sights on Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan, despite his failure to adapt to the Premier League during his ill-fated spell at Manchester United.
However, if Ramos is to land the Argentinean then he faces competition from Manchester City boss Mark Hughes.
The former Blackburn Rovers manager is tracking Forlan's availability along with making enquiries about his former charge Roque Santa Cruz, who is rumoured to be unsettled at Ewood Park despite the recent arrival of his younger brother to join the reserves.
New boys Hull City are another club keen to bolster their attacking ranks, although boss Phil Brown faces a challenge to persuade Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to allow youngster Fraizer Campbell to leave the club.
The Tigers are lining up a £5 million bid for the striker, but are happy to settle for a loan deal if a permanent move is not possible - especially after the player's influential presence in leading the line during their successful promotion season in 2007/08.
Another player who looks more likely to leave Old Trafford is defender Mikael Silvestre.
However, he has apparently rejected a move to local rivals Manchester City and expressed his desire to join title rivals Arsenal - managed by Silvestre's countryman Arsene Wenger.
And finally, Middlesbrough may face a battle to keep hold of England international Stewart Downing after it emerged that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is keen to take him to Anfield.
The Spanish tactician has apparently turned his back on the protracted negotiations with Aston Villa for their captain Gareth Barry and begun looking for other, slightly cheaper, alternatives.