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Manchester United agree £28 million Dimitar Berbatov fee as Spurs close on David Bentley
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 3:45pm BST 14/07/2008
Manchester United have agreed to pay Tottenham £28 million for Dimitar Bebatov, who have set aside £17 million of that fee to sign Blackburn's David Bentley in a move that will spark a domino transfer effect, according to reports.
Tottenham had been warned by United that they would be not be held to ransom in their pursuit to sign Berbatov, after they had an initial £20 million approach rebuffed over the weekend, setting a maximum limit of £25 million on the Bulgarian striker.
But reports suggest that both clubs have since reached a comprise for £2 million less than the original £30 million asking price Spurs had demanded for the player, who has scored 27 goals in the Premier League since his arrival from German side Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.
United want to pay Tottenham a fee of £18 million up front with the rest of the transfer payable after success-related clauses and appearances, similar to the arrangement they struck with the north London club for Michael Carrick in 2006.
Indeed, Berbatov, 27, has made no secret of his desire to move to the champions in past and his agent Emil Danchev confirmed: "Manchester United have expressed interest in Berbatov but I cannot comment on the issue further."
Although the north London club publicly announced that Berbatov is not for sale, it is understood that manager Juande Ramos had being planning the forthcoming campaign without the forward since the end of last season.
In his place, Spurs have a number of options they are exploring. Russia's Andrei Arshavin and Espanyol's Luis Garcia have been mentioned while Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz is a possibility at £10 million.
Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, is thought to be Ramos' first choice replacement.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/07/14/ufnbentley214.xml
By Matt Lawless
Last Updated: 3:45pm BST 14/07/2008
Manchester United have agreed to pay Tottenham £28 million for Dimitar Bebatov, who have set aside £17 million of that fee to sign Blackburn's David Bentley in a move that will spark a domino transfer effect, according to reports.
Tottenham had been warned by United that they would be not be held to ransom in their pursuit to sign Berbatov, after they had an initial £20 million approach rebuffed over the weekend, setting a maximum limit of £25 million on the Bulgarian striker.
But reports suggest that both clubs have since reached a comprise for £2 million less than the original £30 million asking price Spurs had demanded for the player, who has scored 27 goals in the Premier League since his arrival from German side Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.
United want to pay Tottenham a fee of £18 million up front with the rest of the transfer payable after success-related clauses and appearances, similar to the arrangement they struck with the north London club for Michael Carrick in 2006.
Indeed, Berbatov, 27, has made no secret of his desire to move to the champions in past and his agent Emil Danchev confirmed: "Manchester United have expressed interest in Berbatov but I cannot comment on the issue further."
Although the north London club publicly announced that Berbatov is not for sale, it is understood that manager Juande Ramos had being planning the forthcoming campaign without the forward since the end of last season.
In his place, Spurs have a number of options they are exploring. Russia's Andrei Arshavin and Espanyol's Luis Garcia have been mentioned while Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz is a possibility at £10 million.
Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, deemed surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, is thought to be Ramos' first choice replacement.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/07/14/ufnbentley214.xml