Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos has asked the Spurs fans to be patient as the north-London club work in the transfer market in their bid to bring in a new striker to the White Hart Lane even as Dimitar Berbatov transfer saga continues.

The Bulgarian international is fiercely linked with a move to Manchester United, but Spurs have stayed strong on their demand of £30m fee even as reports have suggested that the 27-year-old submitted a transfer request on the eve of the Premiership opener at Middlesbrough last weekend where he started on the bench.

Spurs, who have lost Robbie Keane to Liverpool this summer, in the meanwhile, have been reported to be interested in Zenit St Petersburg’s Andrei Arshavin, Spartak Moscow’s Roman Pavlyuchenko, Atletico Madrid’s Diego Forlan, Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz and Luis Fabiano of Sevilla.

But so far, Ramos’ side have not tasted success in strengthening their striking department. But the Spanish tactician knows there is still enough time for deals to be struck.

"We've got a list of targets that we are working very hard on," Ramos said.

"Negotiations are tough and sometimes they are even tougher than usual. We know what we are working towards and we know what our objectives are.

"The process of signing players sometimes takes time, but fans should be aware we are trying to strengthen up front and sign a new forward. Quite often these things take time."

Ramos, meanwhile, is yet to decide whether Berbatov will be in the starting line-up for weekend’s home game against Sunderland. But the Spurs boss is certain that the fans will love him if he scores.

"Tottenham fans are no exception to any others - they support the team and get behind the side," said Ramos.

"If a player is on form, if he knocks in a couple of goals then I'm sure anyone who booed him last week will soon be getting behind him and cheering him. That is what it is like.

"While he is still here, he is very much 100% a Tottenham player; that is how we consider things. It is not a case of finding a solution to a problem before it occurs."