United close in on Berbatov
DIMITAR BERBATOV expects to be a Manchester United player within the next 48 hours.
The Bulgarian striker has told his Tottenham team-mates that he is on his way to Old Trafford.
The £25million deal ends a year-long pursuit of the player by United boss Alex Ferguson.
As we reported on Saturday, United were confident the deal would be done by the end of this week.
Now the Champions hope to unveil him as their new signing in time to be eligible for their big kick-off against Newcastle on Sunday.
Berbatov, 27, feared the deal might be off when reports surfaced of possible United moves for Thierry Henry at Barcelona and Valencia’s David Villa.
But Berbatov was always Ferguson’s No1 one target. He has had three bids rejected — last summer, in the New Year and at the end of this season.
Ferguson said last week: “We are looking at three or four different options about the strike department which we hope will come to a happy conclusion.
“Hopefully, we will have someone in for the start of the season.”
Meanwhile, United winger Ryan Giggs admits this could be his last season. The legendary Welshman, 34, said: “In the last couple of seasons, I’ve gone into competitions as if they were my last.
“I’m not getting any younger so it could be my final season.
“That’s my motivation — to stay in the team with good players around you, and to win things because you want to experience what we did last season.” -
TheSun
BERBATOV MOVE IMMINENT
Dimitar Berbatov is on the verge of completing his long-anticipated move to Manchester United, according to this morning's national newspapers.
Tottenham are reported to have agreed to sell the striker on Tuesday after the English and European champions tabled a substantially-improved bid.
After rejecting United's first offer of £20milion, Tottenham declared they would not consider selling the Bulgarian for less than £30million - but it is believed a fee of around £28million has now been agreed.
And the Daily Mail suggests Berbatov could even be a Manchester United player by the end of Wednesday, though most of the UK press suggest the deal will be done by the end of the week.
The Red Devils have pursued Berbatov for at least 18 months and were reported to the Premier League for 'tapping-up' the 27-year-old by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy last month.
Berbatov's arrival is likely to hasten the exit from Old Trafford of Louis Saha, while it leaves Spurs searching for a new striker after also selling Robbie Keane to Liverpool earlier in the summer.-
SportingLife.com
Fergie banks on Berbatov
United seal the deal for £25m Spurs striker
Dimitar Berbatov is expected to agree personal terms and seal his £25million move to Manchester United.
Sportsmail understands that the Bulgaria striker is due at United's Carrington training centre after finally being given permission by Tottenham Hotspur to talk to the Barclays Premier League and European champions.
The 27-year-old will be offered a four-year deal worth in the region of £80,000-a-week. United hope he will appear on their official pre-season team photo, scheduled to be taken on Friday.
If Berbatov agrees terms, his signing will end an 18-month pursuit by Sir Alex Ferguson, who will be on the verge of fielding his dream attacking line-up featuring Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo when the latter two regain health and fitness.
Ironically, the Premier League board are discussing Tottenham's allegations that United have behaved improperly in their pursuit of Berbatov. White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy believes United 'tapped up' their player and made a complaint to the Premier League in mid-July.
However, the League are not expected to find in Tottenham's favour - especially as the clubs have been negotiating for the last few weeks. As Sportsmail revealed last month, United's first offer of £20m for Berbatov was turned down with Spurs originally wanting £32m for the player.
But it is understood the clubs have now agreed on a fee of around £25m - money which Spurs will need to spend immediately on a replacement.
At United there will be jubilation if the deal goes through as Berbatov has been targeted to lead the line since impressing Ferguson in 2006-07.
With Louis Saha so often injured, United have not had a 'through the middle' striker since Ruud van Nistelrooy left. -
DailyMail
WOOWOWOWOWOWOWO !!!! CAN'T WAIT !!!