Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov is not set to head to Germany. REUTERS

English champions Manchester United are reportedly set for a bid for the their Bulgarian striker, Dimitar Berbatov, from German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen - where Berbatov spent five-and-a-half years earlier in his career.

Berbatov, 30, has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford and is currently behind the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans, although he finished last season as the joint top scorer in the Premier League. However, this season, he has made just 13 appearances in all competitions.

He has just six months left on his contract, after which he could leave for free in the summer. Therefore, United may want to cash in on any offers they receive for the player they acquired for a little over £30 million in 2008, rather than letting him go for free.

The German club finished last season as runners-up to league rivals Borussia Dortmund but have struggled to find form this time and currently sit in sixth, 11 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The BayArena-based side, thus far, have managed just 22 goals in 17 Bundesliga matches and are said to be keen on bringing Berbatov back to a club where he had a successful spell.

Apart from Leverkusen, Premiership clubs like QPR and Fulham are also interested in the player, according to a Caughtoffside report.

Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov, who arrived from Tottenham in 2008, has made 141 appearances for United and has managed to score 50 times. While with Leverkusen, the Bulgarian made 201 appearances and scored 91 times.