Bulgaria striker Berbatov, who is with the Spurs squad at their Spanish training camp, is desperate to complete a switch to Old Trafford after United tabled an opening offer of £20million.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was fully aware his first bid would fail, having seen Manchester City’s £30m approach rejected earlier this year.
But Ferguson is confident he has sent a strong enough signal to Berbatov, 27, for the player to now force Spurs to lower their £35m asking price.
Ferguson is so sure a deal will be agreed that he will fly with United to their tour of Africa on Wednesday and allow chief executive David Gill to tie up the loose ends.
“I can tell with certainty that Manchester United have expressed an interest in Berbatov. I cannot comment on the issue further,” said Berbatov’s agent, Emil Dantchev.
United’s bid has thrown Tottenham’s transfer strategy over Berbatov into the air. They would prefer to sell him abroad and were confident of pricing United out of the market.
When City came calling, Spurs could turn them away in the knowledge Berbatov was not interested in their advances.
United have been interested in him for more than a year, but Tottenham were hoping Barcelona, Real Madrid or AC Milan would firm up their interest and start a summer auction.
With Barca, Madrid and Milan prioritising other players, however, Spurs are now stuck in the awkward position of negotiating with the one club Berbatov has always made it clear that he would love to join.
Even if Barcelona were to call off their chase for Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor and rival United’s bid for Berbatov, the Bulgarian is unlikely to change his mind.
After former manager Martin Jol left Tottenham last season, he revealed: “I always had a good relationship with Dimitar. But the trouble is he wanted to go to Manchester United.
“It was in his mind and I could do nothing about it.”
Following the appointment of new boss Juande Ramos, Dantchev flew to England in November to hold talks with Spurs’ sporting director, Damien Comolli, about his client’s future.
Dantchev made it clear Berbatov wants to be playing in the Champions League next season, but agreed he would shelve any plans to move on and fire the club’s bid to qualify for the UEFA Cup again.
Now, having helped Tottenham win the Carling Cup and secure their place in Europe, Berbatov believes he has kept his end of the bargain and should not be prevented from joining United.
He has not handed in an official transfer request but will ask Spurs to let him leave for Old Trafford and count on their co-operation in getting a deal done as quickly as possible. United are looking at a £30m package made up of £25m plus add-ons and, although Tottenham will initially reiterate they want £35m, that should be enough to clinch Berbatov, who could play his last game for Spurs in Spain today.
