Spurs set to hold out on Dimitar Berbatov deal

It is understood that Berbatov handed in his request on Friday to sporting director Damien Comolli and chairman Daniel Levy, the day before he was named on the bench in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Middlesbrough.

Earlier in the summer, Levy feared Berbatov would have a negative influence on the dressing room after making it clear he wanted to leave for Manchester United.

United had a bid of £20.5million rejected last month and have not made another formal offer, although Tottenham have insisted they do not want to sell.

However, the transfer saga has entered a crucial stage following Berbatov's request, followed by comments on his arrival for international duty with Bulgaria.

"I'm now in Tottenham but no-one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream," said Berbatov, who told reporters he wanted everything sorted by the end of the week. Tottenham's stance means that is unlikely to happen.

The 27-year-old, as captain of Bulgaria, was expected to fulfil media duties ahead of the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday but did not face the cameras.

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev said: "We have two more weeks until the end of the transfer window and I think this will be the most important week. I read Alex Ferguson's statement that he wants another striker and I hope that this striker is Dimitar Berbatov."

The player himself, meanwhile, has already started steeping himself in United folklore after he took his demotion to the bench with noticeable frustration.

"If I had been laughing when I was on the bench, people would say I was an idiot," he said.

"Eric Cantona never smiled, but I don't know if anyone ever asked him why he didn't look happier."