Berbatov on brink of £28m move to Old
Trafford
Manchester United are believed to be on the brink of signing
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Spurs have been holding out for a fee in the region of
£38million for their star striker, but it is thought they have now
reached agreement with the Premier League champions on a £28million
deal. Spurs are closing in on a replacement signing and have also
been boosted by the form of striker Darren Bent who has hit 13
goals in pre-season.
The Bulgarian has been tracked by United for months and their
conduct had angered the White Hart Lane club, who believe the Red
Devils were pursuing a public transfer campaign. United were
reported to the FA by Spurs but it is likely any deal would see
this complaint withdrawn.
Reports suggest the 27-year-old could be a United player by the
time the Premier League kicks off this weekend, with some claiming
he was at United's Carrington training ground for talks on
Tuesday.
Berbatov has made no secret of his desire to move to Old
Trafford, something which has frustrated bosses at Spurs who felt
he should have shown more loyalty, and he has been criticised for
his lack of application since returning from the summer break. It
will come as a second blow in a matter of weeks after Robbie Keane
insisted to be given permission to move to Liverpool.
Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin and Spartak Moscow
star Roman Pavlyuchenko both remain at the top of coach Juande
Ramos' wanted list, and the sale of Berbatov could free up enough
funds for the Russian strike pair to be reunited in north London.
West Ham United striker Dean Ashton - reportedly told to shed
pounds by England coach Fabio Capello - has also been tracked, but
a move for David Villa would appear to be doomed to failure.
Berbatov has scored 27 Premier League goals in 63 starts since
moving from Bayer Leverkusen but his time at the club has been
dogged by transfer rumours and questions over his commitment.
