Berbatov to face best friend Petrov, but the pair could have been playing together at Spurs

Berbatov and Petrov have dreamed of playing for the same club again since they were separated after a brief time together at CSKA Sofia in the late 1990s.

The pair played for only six months with each other, but it was enough time for a firm friendship to be formed and to develop a great understanding on the pitch.

It looked like they were going to be reunited this summer when Spurs made a move to sign Petrov from Atletico Madrid, having bought Berbatov from Bayer Leverkusen 12 months earlier.

Berbatov was desperate for his Bulgaria team-mate to join him at White Hart Lane and was certainly advising him to follow him to north London.

But just as a deal seemed certain to go through, the left-winger ended up at Manchester City, much to Berbatov's frustration.

It seemed that the club's failure to match Manchester City's offer of £60,000-a-week had cost them and it did much to make Berbatov consider his future lay elsewhere.

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev said: "A lot of people have heard the story about Dimitar being upset about the club not signing Petrov.

"All I can say is that they have always wanted to play together again, but while Dimitar may have wanted Martin to join him at Tottenham, players don't get a say in what happens.

"They have been good friends for eight years since they were together briefly for CSKA Sofia. They got on well and Martin has always said Dimitar is his best friend. They would score a lot of goals if they played together, they have proved that for the national team.

"But even though they may not be together in Tottenham or Manchester City, they have made plans to play together in the future. They are looking towards the end of their careers and being reunited at CSKA before they quit the game."

For many Tottenham fans, the regret is that they are not playing together now having seen Petrov make a massive contribution to City's climb to fourth place in the Premier League. Spurs still lack a left-winger, while City have been benefiting from Petrov's fine delivery with his left foot.

He may not have had his strongest game in the 2-1 defeat by Tottenham in the league 10 days ago, but it was his fine corner kick that set up Rolando Bianchi to score.

The 28-year-old may have ended up in the north of England rather than north London, but he doesn't regret his decision. He said: "I am happy in England. We play good football, I am playing under a great manager and the team are doing well. I hope it continues that way.

"I spent two years in Spain at Atletico Madrid and it was a very difficult time for me. Tottenham showed a lot of interest before I came to Manchester City, I spoke with Dimitar about going to White Hart Lane but the move never happened. He is my best friend, a great player and he accepted my decision.

"Manchester City have had a very good start to the season. We have many internationals at the club and we are always together. I am very happy when the team win, I am not worried about me scoring. Yes it makes my father, my brother, my children happy, but I just want to be part of a successful team.

"We still have to see how good Manchester City are. Are we very good or just good?"

An indication will come during the Carling Cup quarter-final at the City of Manchester Stadium tonight where Sven Goran Eriksson's side have won all 10 games they have played this season.

But whatever happens, Eriksson is in no doubt that, at £4.7m, Manchester City can already lay claim to one of the buys of the season.

He said: "Martin is fantastic and getting better all the time. He is gold for a team with his pace, left foot, cleverness and experience - he has everything. It was a very good buy."

For Dantchev, the biggest winner from both Berbatov's and Petrov's form is Bulgarian football itself. "They have made Bulgarians very proud," he said.

"They are not the only Bulgarians playing in England now, but there will be many more going over to play in the Premier League because of them."