Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos has started making plans for life without Berbatov, as he concedes the 28-year-old Bulgaria international could depart if a club matches Spurs' valuation and the player wants to move.
The Spurs boss has indicated his preference would be cash for the player rather than a swap deal.
If Mike Ashley put his money where his mouth is, Berbatov would set St James' Park alight and suddenly banish all this junk from Keegan that we will not break the Top Four in the next three years.
Ramos: "I've spoken to him many times and know exactly what he wants.
"Obviously we have to cover our backs in case the player decides to leave and we have to have options to replace him.
"I would obviously like him to stay here but we don't know how future negotiations will go so it is something I cannot guarantee.
"If there are offers coming in for the player we will see if they convince the club and the player as well.
"What we want is for the player to be happy and enjoy his football. The player has the key to this and it is up to him at the end of the day.
"If that happened I'm sure the club would prefer to have the money because with the money they would be able to sign the players necessary.
"They would be able to look on the market for appropriate players.
"Of course there are great players in Europe that can do just as well as Berbatov."