Berbatov bid ensures Man City are the new challengers to the top four

Manchester City’s dance amongst the top four is a far more glamorous piece of ballet than Tottenham ever attempted in their challenge to the elite, but in making an audacious bid for Dimitar Berbatov, they helped their north London rivals - for they are just that now - in their unlikely plea for £30m for the wantaway Bulgarian.

On Sunday evening, the situation was poised towards Berbatov remaining at Spurs. Juande Ramos stated the striker would be part of his first-team plans if he stayed and the club, already angry at Manchester United’s behaviour over the summer, didn’t want to accept less than £30m. Yet the general consensus was that Berbatov would probably leave for around £24m, his obvious desire to leave meaning it was a buyer’s market.

But it became a seller’s market once again when Man City, now loaded with more cash than Chelsea (and seemingly more ambition and desire as well), entered the fray. They never stood much of a chance with their bid, which was hastily accepted by Spurs, because Berbatov wanted to play in the Champions League and indeed the 27-year-old never even met with Man City officials.

Tottenham now held all the aces, however, and Man Utd were forced to match their asking price. It was reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s transfer out of Everton: Rooney’s departure was inevitable, but where exactly was only decided after a bidding war between a pretender and contender. Newcastle, somewhat dubiously, entered the bidding late on and Man Utd were forced to pay far more than they had originally hoped.

Yet there is a deeper meaning to yesterday’s shenanigans. Manchester City have now stepped into Tottenham’s boots, with owners who expect trophies spending money abundantly in a direct challenge to the top four. In accepting the bid for Berbatov, it was almost an admission from Tottenham that Man City will soon usurp them - and that there is little they can do about it.

Man City might have ensured Daniel Levy got the full asking price for Beratov, but this is a short-term gain in a much bigger picture. Long-term, City are best poised. In capturing Robinho, they did something Tottenham never managed: they beat a member of the top four to a player in a one-on-one shoot-out, and with that transfer, offered a clear statement of intent. Tottenham’s monopoly as the only side attempting to break into the top four is at a definite end, and they will now be forced to deal with a fifth party in the race for a lucrative slice of the Champions League money.

While Tottenham have endured what can only be described as a frustrating summer, Man City are readying themselves for a period of boom, optimism rife at Eastlands that, at long last, a sustainable challenge to the elite will soon exist. The moves for Beratov and Robinho, one failed and the other a resounding success, ensure Man City will be a feared proposition, both pitch-side and in the transfer market.

And having already seen off one north London side, Arsenal are hot favourites to be replaced by City in the Champions League spots. If the Blue side of Manchester could pull that off, the everlasting dreams of rivalling the Red half would be a whole lot closer to reality.