Owen To Replace Berbatov At Spurs?

Berbatov is widely expected to leave White Hart Lane before the August transfer window closes with either Manchester United or Barcelona expected to sign the Bulgarian.

The striker didn’t start in Tottenham’s opening game of the Premier League yesterday, a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, and only appeared as a second half substitute, all of which has increased speculation a move is imminent.

As Tottenham have already lost fellow striker Robbie Keane to Liverpool this summer, the loss of Berbatov as well will be keenly felt and will leave manager Juande Ramos, short of attacking options.

Currently the only forwards Ramos can call upon are Darren Bent, who started yesterday’s game and has looked good in pre-season, new signing Giovani Dos Santos and Berbatov.

Meanwhile, speculation over Michael Owen’s future refuses to go away. Newcastle remain keen to tie the striker to the club however a much talked about contract extension has not been completed and his four year deal at the Magpies expires next summer.

Newcastle signed Owen from Real Madrid for £16 million. However, since arriving at St James’ Park Owen has been plagued by injury which has meant he has only managed 43 league appearances for Newcastle in three seasons.

A combination of mumps and a calf strain have wrecked his preparations for the new season and ensured the striker has not featured in any of the Magpies pre-season games.

His lack of match fitness is also expected to rule him out of Newcastle’s opening game of the season today against Manchester United at Old Trafford and England manager Fabio Capello has also not included Owen in his squad for England’s friendly against the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.

Gill Clark