Manchester United's Silva Bid Is Just A Bluff, It's All About Berbatov

Valencia have rejected a bid by Manchester United for David Silva, according to the striker's agent. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants a new forward before the transfer window closes on 31 August.

That's the official word from the football media. It's the official word from the agent of Valencia and Spain star David Silva. And as soon as I saw it splashed all over the media I have to say, I had a good laugh to myself. That old wizard Ferguson is up to his old tricks again.

I've no doubt that Sir Alex is willing to crack open the cheque book again this summer to acquire another forward, we all know Fergie loves his world-class forwards. But don't be fooled by Manchester United's bid for David Silva. The only man in the Scot's crosshairs this summer is Dimitar Berbatov, not the Spanish starlet.

Fergie has deliberately set up a smokescreen in an attempt to lure Spurs into selling the Bulgarian international at the preferred cost of approximately £20 million instead of Spurs asking price of closer to £30 million.

Daniel Levy has already reported Manchester United to FIFA regarding their "tapping up" of Dimitar Berbatov. Apparently Levy has a dossier of over a years worth of evidence pointing the finger at United.

Do I believe all this? To be honest I do. Manchester United and Ferguson can be as bad at chasing and coaxing top class players to Old Trafford as Ronaldo-hunters Real Madrid, whom Manchester United fans all heavily criticised over the summer.

So thats why I believe Fergie is now taking a differernt route and trying to show Spurs that we are willing to look elsewhere to bolster our forward line instead of trying to break down the London club for their last remaining world-class striker.

But Spurs, rightfully so, are holding out for a more respectable fee before sending Berbatov on his way to Manchester. Daniel Levy and Juande Ramos have both announced that the striker won't be leaving. However, it is commonly known that the Bulgarian is eager to leave to play Champions League football and, at 27 years of age, thinks he has spent enough time without major trophy success to stay at Spurs and help drive them towards that goal.

So the situation we have in front of us is: Manchester United want to buy, Berbatov wants to be sold, and Spurs are willing to sell but only at the right price. So Manchester United "pretend" to target other players so Spurs have a small heart attack and start to worry about having to keep the sulky striker in tow and possibly lose him the following season for less.

And in fairness to Spurs, they haven't fallen for the bait, yet.

So if you turn on SkySports in the next few days and don't happen to see Dimitar Berbatov in the red of United, expect to see "Manchester United make enquiry regarding availability for Catalan star Eto'o" or "Ferguson sets sights on Dutch striker Huntelaar" because the mind games will continue and the smokescreen will stay up until the big Bulgarian is on the books at the Red Devils.