By CALEB SONNELAND
FC Anzhi Makhachkala are plotting yet another transfer to shock the soccer world, and this time, Dimitar Berbatov is the man set in its sights.
Enjoying its glut of cash from its new owner, Suleyman Kerimov, the Russian club is looking to prise Berbatov, now 30, away from Premier League champions Manchester United.
The Bulgarian ace has only made five appearances for United in the current campaign, and the player's agent suggested that a £15 million offer would be "interesting" and something that Berbatov would have to mull over. The striker's contract is up at the end of the season.
Anzhi has already secured the services of Samuel Eto'o, Yuri Zhirkov and Roberto Carlos since the takeover. The club currently sits eighth in the Russian Premier League, but a strike force of Eto'o and Berbatov would surely help its odds of moving up the table.
Galatasaray is also said to be interested in the striker.
Here are some other stories to keep your Thursday rolling along:
PFA CHIEF CALLS FOR BLATTER EXIT
After stirring up a whirlwind of controversy across the globe following his comments on racism in the game of soccer, Sepp Blatter is under fire in regard to his position as the president of FIFA.
Professional Footballer's Assocation chief Gordon Taylor has lobbied that Blatter needs to step down after insisting that a handshake could settle a racist dispute.
Blatter also took to Twitter briefly to defend himself from Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who described Blatter's attempt to backtrack as "almost laughable."
Blatter is no stranger to controversy, as he has previously made questionable comments on female soccer players as well as angering the gay community with his statement from last December.
Taylor believes that "without a shadow of a doubt," Blatter needs to step down from his post at FIFA.
AQUILANI TO STAY IN MILAN A "FORMALITY"
Franco Zavaglia, the agent of Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, spoke up today to reveal that the Italian International's future lies at AC Milan following the conclusion of his loan move from the British club.
The option to make the loan a permanent deal is a "formality" at this point, according to Zavaglia. Aquilani has revitalized his career with consecutive loan moves to Serie A over the last two seasons — the first at Juventus.
After making the switch from Roma to Liverpool, Aquilani struggled with fitness, then form and then being selected to the Starting XI at all, prompting a move elsewhere despite the hefty price tag that brought him to Anfield.
Once Aquilani reaches 25 appearances for Milan, the club can offer him a contract for a permanent deal, something Zavaglia says shouldn't meet opposition from either party.
CAHILL COULD LEAVE BOLTON
After having locked down the Bolton defense for nearly four years, manager Owen Coyle admits the club may end up needing to sell the centerback.
Cahill has long been a topic of interest for Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, but a deal has failed to materialize for the Englishman.
Arsenal and Liverpool looked close to signing Cahill at different points in the summer, but ended up purchasing Per Mertesacker and Sebastian Coates, respectively.
Coyle admitted that he would love to work with Cahill every day, but if a suitable offer came in January, the defender could exit the club.
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Should Blatter step down as FIFA president? Think Anzhi has a shot at Berbatov? Where do you see Cahill ending up?
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