[Vargas_4]

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly lined up Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz as a direct replacement for the outgoing Dimitar Berbatov…

The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United are intent on signing Berbatov over the coming week after having a ₤20million bid rejected recently. Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring in a new option up front and is supposedly prepared to fork out around ₤25million for the Bulgarian hitman.

Combined with the potential departures of both Robbie Keane and Darren Bent, this leaves Spurs in desperate need of a new striker. Diego Milito has been mentioned as a possible target following Real Zaragoza’s shock relegation, as has Ajax gun Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

However, it is understood Spurs boss Juande Ramos has made Santa Cruz – also linked with United – his number one target as he seeks to completely overhaul the team’s attacking structure.

Arsenal have also been keeping a close eye on the Paraguayan international, who scored 23 goals during his first season in England, and Spurs’ interest is sure to spark speculation of a bidding war between the north London rivals.

Rovers are reluctant to sell, however, as new manager Paul Ince is determined to keep hold of both Santa Cruz and David Bentley during his first summer in charge at Ewood Park.

***

Goal.com - Tottenham - Spurs To Swoop For Santa Cruz?