MANCHESTER United looked to be pushing ahead in the race to sign Dimitar Berbatov as the transfer deadline approached.
While it was still not exactly clear what permission United had from Tottenham to pursue the striker, they were happy enough to show Berbatov around their Carrington training complex before he underwent a medical.
He was later shown on Sky Sports at Old Trafford with chief executive David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Gill, Ferguson and legal expert Maurice Watkins were attempting to find a way to bridge a £5million gap in their offer compared to Tottenham’s asking price.
And, although the minutes were continuing to tick down, an agreement was expected at some point before the deadline actually expired.
What is certain is that City, whose prospective new owners - the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment - are eager to flex their financial muscle and have no such problems as United in matching Spurs’ asking price.
Spurs have already accepted their £30million offer but the Blues might have left their bid too late.
“I am as stunned and excited by this as the fans are,” City boss Mark Hughes told Sky Sports, barely able to take in events of such a tumultuous day himself as he took part in a charity golf day.
High-ranking City officials were not expecting the takeover, let alone bids for Berbatov and David Villa when the day began, so further surprises are possible and prospective new City owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim earlier said: “I am hopeful about Berbatov, but I need to speak to our colleagues in England to see what the latest is.
“We have bids in for three players. There is Berbatov, but there is also David Villa and Mario Gomez. We have bids in for Villa and Gomez and I am waiting to hear whether we have been successful with those (offers).
“Funds are available, and transfers such as these show we are serious.”
However, having let Louis Saha join Everton, it seems inconceivable Ferguson would miss out on Berbatov now, especially with talks at such a seemingly advanced and involved stage.
Reds push ahead in Berbatov race
September 01, 2008
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"Oh the times, they are a changing".
I don't see what Hughes can say to Berbatov. "We'll be in the Champions League by the time you're 32, with a decent chance of getting out the group stages." ????
Unless the guy is swayed by money then I can't see him going to City. Although I was worried for a second.
Fergie didnt need to collect him from the airport for us, we could have arranged a car!!
As someone said earlier, it's not whether we get him or not, it's our intent that makes all the difference. And just for the record, my new City shirt stinks of sweat but Im NOT taking it off!!!
come on rags dont disappoint us lets have your bitter comments
Crikey, blimey Charlie
I've got a nose bleed!!
I love it. Hope he does sign for manure for a hugely inflated price as it will bring the day they go bust that bit nearer meanwhile City buy Villa and a.n.other midfielder ( watch this space).
VK will have him for breakfast in the derby.
CTID
This is the funniest thing ever...i can just imagine old big red nose getting his missus to drive him to the airport sharpish!! Even if he doesn't sign for us at least the rags will have to match Spurs's valuation.
This is great just for the wind up value alone.
If this is true, the thought that Fergie has had to pick the guy up at the airport cracks me up.
But can the Rags afford him? They were bleating at £25 million...
So SAF was seen picking Berbatov up at M/c Airport was he? it doesn't surprise me at all and if it is true then I fear Ditimar will choose to go to United I hope I'm wrong --we shall see....
Worst case scenario is that the Rags will have to cough up another £5m.
It's great being a Blue.
It's a nice shot across the bows and, if nothing else, may force Rags to part with more money than they wanted to.
hes at rags training ground!
Well bring on David Villa instead!!
Like I said on other thresd I would prefer Milito.Berbatov is aSulker,Mercenary.
He can only talk to Utd IF Spurs have agreed a fee with them !!!
does this now mean we are glory hunters and they are the bitters? im confused??
Sir Alex (SAF) triumphs if Berbatov signs for Man United.
And if the Bulgarian goes to City, he didn't want to play for United badly enough, and turning United down tends not to be a good career move - just ask Gazza and Shearer.
If that does happen SAF will simply revert to massive "siege mode" and challenge his players to prove the skeptics wrong.
Either way, you write SAF off at your peril.
Whether we get him or not, it shows the spending power we have and there will be other targets in Jan and next summer. I think the sulking bulgar is over priced and could be a flop at OT.
Joe Corrigan's Left Hand - it's known as top man management, a strength of SAF.
Don't Spurs have to accept an offer before United can speak to him, or at least give their permission. I really doubt whether Spurs want to jeopardise a £32 million deal with City without a guarantee of at least teh saem from United. Transfer deadline days throw up huge amounts of "uncofirmed rumour", but you (the MEN) don't have to print it!
Can anyone see Berba joining an outfit that just scraped past FC Middleton in the UEFA Cup? I know Bulgarians tend to be moody but they are not stupid. Still laughing!
if this is true it just reeks of desperation from taggart
It seems a far cry from the good old days when it was the number 41 bus from Sale to Moss Side, 25p for a programme, an oasis view of lush green turf under the grey sky, Trumanns for Steel advertising hording on the Platt Lane, a hot vimto at half time that would burn the skin off a rhino with its centre of the sun temperature, a football pink on the way home (with a picture of a topless Miss Pink straddling a football sporting only a bikini bottom and a wide mancunian smile there to cheer you up if your team lost) and a waggon wheel to munch on the top deck of the bright orange corporation bus as it swished over the murky puddles on the Princess Parkway and then choking on a Players Number 6 as we received a b********* from the bus conductor stating not unreasonably that you can’t pay child fare and then smoke. Gerald Sinstadt on the kick off match to remind you that Burnley were just as an important NW club as City & United. And instead of one time TV repair man and low tech stereo & hifi rental shop owner "Captain Combover" Peter Swales we now have Dr Al Fahim the CEO of a property company that builds 5 star luxury hotels in Dubai, Abu Dabhi and Mexico City.
Funny Old Game !
Blue Rondo A La Turk...
Not bothered if he signs for the Rags. We can afford better players than him and I'll die laughing if they have to pay £30+ million for him.
On the subject of money. I believe the momentum all this is creating makes it almost inevitable we'll win a trophy this season. Go to compareodds.com and check out our latest odds:
Prem 200/1
UEFA 50/1
Carling 16/1
FA 22/1
Not sure I'd risk an accumulator, but backing us to win each individually could mean we're not only the richest club in ENgland but we'd also have the richest fans. Go on, fill yer boots.