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Bayer Leverkusen have revealed that Liverpool made a summer enquiry for Dimitar Berbatov.
The European champions spent much of pre-season scouring for a new striker before eventually settling on England new boy Peter Crouch.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez sifted through a lengthy list of possible targets before signing Crouch from Southampton, and Berbatov's name was under consideration.
The Bulgaria international is a regular scorer for the Bundesliga side and Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller confirmed the interest from Anfield.
“There was an enquiry from Liverpool over the summer, although we haven’t heard from them ever since," Voller told Kicker.
Reports in the German media now suggest that Liverpool have been joined by rivals Arsenal in the bid to lure Berbatov to England.
Though the hit-man is tied to the BayArena until 2009, it is widely believed that, after failing to generate income from their Uefa Cup campaign following their embarrassing first round exit against CSKA Sofia, Leverkusen are not prepared to turn down a serious offer in the region of €12 million (£8.2 million) for the talented 24-year-old.
Club owners and main sponsors Bayer plc. have recently told the club that they will have to reduce their budget over the next few years and selling the lanky forward might therefore prove the easiest opportunity to balance the books.
German giants Bayern Munich and Schalke are also believed to be keen on Berbatov’s services but Leverkusen would prefer to sell to a foreign club rather than strengthening a Bundesliga competitor.
" - CGGY
