Striker signing hopes dashed

Newcastle's hopes of landing Dimitar Berbatov have been hit by the news the striker intends to stay with Manchester United.

Berbatov looked set to leave Old Trafford this summer after he was left out of the Champions League Final squad against Barcelona, while Michael Owen penning a new deal would not help his cause.

Newcastle have been strongly linked with a swoop for Berbatov should he leave United, but as far as the player is concerned he is going nowhere and will stay and fight for his place.

"I will stay," Berbatov reportedly told Bulgarian TV.

"I will fight for the 20th title. There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. When you go through difficult times, you should not quit.

"Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4."

Alan Pardew is hoping to make a host of signings this summer but Berbatov is unlikely to be one of them.

good for him if he wants to fight for his place didnt think he would come anyway. we have better strikers we can go for. Anyway he is getting on now like