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 could spark a transfer domino effect.
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.
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.
One Blackburn Rovers player almost certainly on his way to White Hart Lane though, is David Bentley - identified by Ramos earlier in the summer as one of his primary transfer targets.
The Spaniard aims to complete a deal for the unsettled England international by including goalkeeper Paul Robinson as a makeweight.
Robinson's exchange to Ewood Park would see him replace Brad Friedel who would be granted permission to seal a move to Aston Villa with the midlands club poised to sign the American goalkeeper for £2.5 million.
Friedel's pending arrival at Villa Park would end manager Martin O'Neill's lingering interest in Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson, who spent last season on loan at the club but priced out of an immediate return with his £10 million valuation.
Newly-promoted Stoke City have reportedly lodged a £4 million offer for Carson's services but could yet face competition from Middlesbrough.
Bentley, 23, has been linked to a host of Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Liverpool, since his admission that he wanted to leave Blackburn following former manager Mark Hughes departure to Manchester City last month.
Although new boss Paul Ince is desperate to retain Bentley on his books he is, however, resigned to losing the former Arsenal player with Liverpool's £6 million rated Jermaine Pennant earmarked as a direct replacement.
Bentley, capped six times by his country, has remained resolute on his wish to leave the club in favour of a return to London in a move to enhance his England credentials under national coach Fabio Capello and it is seemingly likely Tottenham will soon formally announce his arrival.
courtesy Telegraph.co.uk
