[usamu]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...bentley214.xml

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."

£18 million upfront, with the fee rising to a possible £28 million.