Berbatov's Transfer Saga Ends with Man United GBP 30.75 M Bid
2 September 2008, Tuesday
Manchester United have finally paid GBP 30.75 M to land Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov minutes before the transfer window slammed shut on midnight on Monday.
The news emerged shortly after another British football giant - Manchester City have launched an unexpected bid in excess of GBP 30 M to hijack the Bulgarian's expected move to local rivals United.
Berbatov's ex-club Tottenham agreed to drop their complaint to the Premier League against United, in which they accused the Old Trafford club of tapping up the Bulgarian, as part of the deal.
Towards the end, the dispute threatened to become even more acrimonious than it has been over the past month, with United manager Alex Ferguson reportedly picking Berbatov up at the Manchester airport and the striker undergoing a medical at the club's Carrington training facility without Tottenham's approval.
Berbatov had become the subject of a tug-of-war between three clubs in the final hours of the transfer deadline day, with Real reportedly preparing a bid of their own for the Bulgarian, according to reports in Spain, but the bid never came.
"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come," the football star said as he was unveiled as a United player, signing a four-year contract.
"This is a key signing," the club's manager Ferguson said. "Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I'm sure he will be a popular player with the fans."
With the league taking a break for the start of the World Cup qualifying matches, Berbatov's first appearance in United colours is expected to be against rivals Liverpool on September 13.
2 September 2008, Tuesday
Manchester United have finally paid GBP 30.75 M to land Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov minutes before the transfer window slammed shut on midnight on Monday.
The news emerged shortly after another British football giant - Manchester City have launched an unexpected bid in excess of GBP 30 M to hijack the Bulgarian's expected move to local rivals United.
Berbatov's ex-club Tottenham agreed to drop their complaint to the Premier League against United, in which they accused the Old Trafford club of tapping up the Bulgarian, as part of the deal.
Towards the end, the dispute threatened to become even more acrimonious than it has been over the past month, with United manager Alex Ferguson reportedly picking Berbatov up at the Manchester airport and the striker undergoing a medical at the club's Carrington training facility without Tottenham's approval.
Berbatov had become the subject of a tug-of-war between three clubs in the final hours of the transfer deadline day, with Real reportedly preparing a bid of their own for the Bulgarian, according to reports in Spain, but the bid never came.
"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come," the football star said as he was unveiled as a United player, signing a four-year contract.
"This is a key signing," the club's manager Ferguson said. "Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I'm sure he will be a popular player with the fans."
With the league taking a break for the start of the World Cup qualifying matches, Berbatov's first appearance in United colours is expected to be against rivals Liverpool on September 13.
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