Spurs boss Ramos prepared to fire up an auction for sought-after Berbatov

12:41pm Friday 9th May 2008

JUANDE RAMOS will launch a £30million auction for striker Dimitar Berbatov after lining up a list of targets to replace him.

A number of European giants are chasing the Bulgarian, with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona as well as England's Chelsea and Manchester United all eager to sign the 27-year-old.

And Spurs boss Ramos looks set to pit the teams against each other to earn the biggest price in order to finance the pursuit of Berbatov's replacements, with Samuel Eto'o seemingly top of his hitlist.

Ramos said: "We have to cover our back in case the player decides to leave and we have to have options to replace him.

"It's difficult to say whether it will be his last game. I would obviously like him to stay here but we don't know how future negotiations will go, so it's something I can't guarantee.

"I've spoken to him many times and I know exactly what he wants.

"But it is a private conversation and I won't say what he told me."

Asked about the possibility of a swap deal involving Barcelona's Eto'o, Ramos appeared to prefer the lure of a large fee, giving him more flexibility in the market.

"I'm sure the club would prefer to have the money because that would allow them to sign players on the market who are necessary," he said.