Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown as soon as the transfer window opens on January 1.
Brown, whose current deal runs out next summer, had also been a target for Rangers but will now join Spurs after talks on Wednesday between Tottenham manager David Pleat and United boss Neil Warnock.
The clubs are believed to have agreed on a £500 000 transfer fee for the 26-year-old Brown, whose arrival is just one of several being planned by Pleat following the announcement of the London club’s share offer.
Blades boss Warnock said: ”We are sorry to see him go but he does so with our blessing.
”We have been good for each other and I am sure that he will go on to play a big part in Spurs’ efforts to climb the Premiership table.”
Brown, who started his career at Manchester City, has scored 28 goals in 142 league starts for the Blades.
Rangers had hoped to sign Brown but the cash-strapped Scottish champions wanted to get him on a free transfer at the end of the season.
”We’ve agreed a fee with Tottenham and we’re quite pleased with it, knowing he’s only got six months left on his contract,” said Warnock.
”If he had gone to Rangers in the summer we would not have got anything.”
Spurs manager Pleat has drawn up a list of transfer targets. However, Brazilian youngster Diego is now considered unlikely to join from Santos next month after the player encountered problems trying to get an Italian passport.
Pleat said: ”I would be surprised if the Diego transfer happens in January now. He still hasn’t been able to obtain an Italian passport at present.”
Tottenham devised the share offer scheme to raise cash to help in shoring up the side, who lie just two points off the relegation zone.
Club chairperson Daniel Levy declared: ”The share offers will strengthen the general financial resources of Tottenham Hotspur and, most significantly, will provide the club with more flexibility in the player trading market.”
Spurs are away to Portsmouth on Friday. — Sapa-AFP