It was one of the summer moves that just about every football fan kept an eye on, even if the result seemed pre-ordained months ago Bulgarias Dimitar Berbatov joining European champions Manchester United in a big-money move that would finally confirm beyond any doubt his status as one of the games superstars. As the clock ticked down on the transfer deadline, September 1, after Manchesters other team put in a bid of its own, and had it accepted too, the number of times his name was searched in Google increased tenfold, while phone-ins in Britain were flooded by callers.
In the end, the prospect of winning silverware with United proved more alluring than the piles of cash offered by City, reported to be about 150 000 pounds a week. I respect Citys opinion and that they made such a stunning offer, which arrived at the last moment, Berbatov told Bulgarian reporters the next day, jetting to Sofia for training with the national team ahead of a World Cup qualifying match. Things were in a dead-end for three or four hours. It was a very hard period, but I hadnt said my word. Those who know me, know that I had only one goal, and that was to put on Manchester Uniteds shirt. Money was never the top priority for me. I could live as well with one million as with 10 million. I made it into a team that is the best in the world.
Berbatov made it clear earlier in August that moving to United was his dream, but the stand-off between United and Tottenham over the transfer fee meant that the deal was sealed with less than half an hour left before the midnight deadline. And it makes sense for Berbatov, who has only won two trophies in his career the Bulgarian Cup as an 18-year-old at CSKA Sofia and the Carling Cup in February to join one of the most successful clubs in the world over the past 15 years.
In the two seasons he has spent in England he has often delighted with his brilliance, but just as often his sulky demeanour on the pitch has frustrated supporters. At Spurs, he was the big star, but now has to prove himself once again in a team that, although never officially dubbed as such, is very much galactic. To secure his services, United were forced to break the bank and pay a club record of 30.75 million pounds, nearly three times what Spurs paid to Bayer Leverkusen two years ago, when only Berbatovs reluctance to go back on his word stopped him from accepting a late offer from United.
Strange as it may sound for a club that won both the Premier League and the Champions League last season, United really look like they need an additional goal threat to scale down their reliance on Christiano Ronaldos goals. Opinion on whether Berbatov, who has only netted 27 times in 70 league matches at Spurs and took months to really get going in both his seasons at White Hart Lane, is the best man for the task remains divided. It is certain, though, that he will get plenty of chances to prove his case, given the size of the transfer fee.
In 2006, Berbatov became the most expensive Bulgarian player ever, breaking the record held by Hristo Stoichkov, who moved to Parma for $15 million in 1995. At his peak now, aged 27, Berbatov is one step closer to finally filling the big shoes left behind by Bulgarias most famous footballer. Already he has scored more goals for the national team than Stoichkov has, and in fewer games too. All he needs now is a dozen trophies or so and a Ballon dOr to boot, but at least he is finally in a position to win them.
Helping Bulgaria to at least the quarterfinals of a major tournament would not hurt his case either.
