Juande Ramos insists Tottenham can compete in the transfer market with the Premier League's top four - even though Dimitar Berbatov is poised to complete his move to Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club are set to land Berbatov for £28million, less than a month after his strike partner Robbie Keane joined Liverpool for £20.3m.

Spurs, though, are determined not to be seen as a feeder club and their major summer signings have been Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos, Heurelho Gomes and David Bentley.

Head coach Ramos, whose team play Middlesbrough tomorrow, said: "Tottenham already are a massive club and we can be compared with Manchester United or the other top four clubs.

"I have no doubt in my mind that any player, depending on their individual motives, would choose to remain here or come here over any of the other top clubs if he is coming from another side."

Spurs were today linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz, who scored 23 goals last season.

The 26-year-old is ready to hand in a transfer request after Rovers turned down Manchester City's £12m bid.

City's need for a new striker was highlighted by their shock UEFA Cup loss last night to Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Richard Dunne's error allowed Danny Olsen to score the only goal of the first leg second qualifying round tie at Eastlands.