LEVERKUSEN, May 12 (SW) - Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler has confirmed that Spurs are in the advanced stages of negotiations over the signing of Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov.

The Leverkusen striker has a £10.7 million release clause in his contract and Voller today revealed that Spurs had now matched this figure in their offer.

"Tottenham have spoken to us again and are now prepared to match our asking price," Voller said.

"The decision lies with Dimitar. It is understandable that he wants to try something new after six years in Leverkusen, but it will hurt us to lose such a great player."

25-year-old Berbatov was signed from CSKA Sofia in 2001 and has shown outstanding promise in his ultra-reliable performances at Leverkusen, making 33 out of 33 league appearances in the last 3 seasons there and scoring 20 league two years in a row.

His record is also impressive at International level, notching up 7 goals from 9 starts during this seasons World Cup qualifiers for Bulgaria, who have failed to make the finals in Germany.

Spurs may have to move quickly to seal the deal however, as it is known that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been watching the striker closely over the last few months. With Mido due to return to Roma and doubts over the long term future of England International Jermain Defoe, it seems there are set to be big changes in Tottenham’s front-line next season.