Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has admitted he is already making plans for life without striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Ramos wants to hold on to the 28-year-old at White Hart Lane but confirmed the Bulgarian striker could leave if Spurs’s asking price is met.
“I’ve spoken to him many times and know exactly what he wants,” Ramos said.
“We have to cover our backs in case the player decides to leave and we have to have options to replace him.”
The Bulgarian has been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“I would obviously like him to stay here but we don’t know how future negotiations will go so it is something I cannot guarantee,” Ramos added.
“If there are offers coming in we will see if they convince the club and the player as well.
“What we want is for the player to be happy and enjoy his football. The player has the key to this and it is up to him at the end of the day.
“If that happened I’m sure the club would prefer to have the money because with the money they would be able to sign the players necessary.
“They would be able to look on the market for appropriate players.”
Ramos believes it will be possible to replace Berbatov if he leaves, adding: “Of course there are great players in Europe that can do just as well as Berbatov.”
Tottenham have already spoken to Barcelona about the availability of striker Samuel Eto’o, and initial reports suggest that the Catalan club would be prepared to offload the Cameroon international as they seek to rebuildtheir squad.
