The Times says Ramos is planning a clear-out of his unwanted strikers in an attempt to keep Dimitar Berbatov at the club. In addition to Defoe, who revealed yesterday that he had been told he could leave, the Spaniard is ready to offload Bent, who has managed only two Barclays Premier League goals since his £16.5 million move from Charlton Athletic last summer.

While Ramos wants to keep Defoe until the end of the season, he would be happy to see Bent go during the present transfer window.

Much of Ramos's planning is based around an attempt to mollify Berbatov, whose future remains uncertain despite his recent pledge to stay until the end of the season. The Bulgaria striker has made no attempt to disguise his displeasure at being asked to play alongside Defoe and also has little regard for Bent.