Berbatov has handed in a transfer request at White Hart Lane in pursuit of a move to United, but Spurs are yet to accept a fee and are willing to play the Bulgaria striker in the reserves if their valuation is not matched.

Ferguson is thought to have other targets as well as Berbatov, and speaking generally about the potential of signings before Monday's deadline, he said: "I'm less optimistic so we'll carry on. I've no idea what's going on. It's very hard to get communication with some people in life."

Spurs are poised to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow but the two deals are not connected and the Russian's arrival is not dependent on Berbatov leaving.

Spurs are also in the hunt for other players and have been linked with playmaker Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg.

Berbatov appeared to be at the point of no return last weekend when he was considered psychologically unfit to play against Sunderland, which was thought to signal his departure to United.

United chief executive David Gill, who insisted he does not want to step into Brian Barwick's shoes at the Football Association, added on Sky Sports News: "Clearly there's not long to go, you'll have to wait with bated breath.

"We're working on it but I've been doing transfers for many, many years and know nothing is done until it's done, either in or out."