After weeks of speculation, Manchester United are set sign Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov in the next 48 hours.

The Tottenham Hotspur forward has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout a summer of transfer rumour and counter-rumour, and has now reportedly told his White Hart Lane colleagues that he will join Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

The move is expected to go through in time for the Bulgaria international to make his United debut against Newcastle this coming Sunday.

Berbatov’s arrival had apparently been derailed at the weekend when sources close to Ferguson were quoted as saying that United were in the hunt for former Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry.

Ferguson’s apparent pursuit of Henry now only seems, however, to have been a ploy to bring the $US56million Berbatov transfer closer to reality.

Despite having three bids for Berbatov rejected by the Spurs board, Ferguson has remained intent on signing the one-time Bayer Leverkusen front man and only last week was hinting at the 27-year-old’s arrival.

“We are looking at three or four different options about the strike department which we hope will come to a happy conclusion,” he said.