Manchester City are aiming to pull off the most audacious transfer of recent years by signing Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov from under the noses of rivals Manchester United.

With a €185 million takeover by Middle Eastern organisation Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment almost complete, the Blues have launched a shock bid to sign Berbatov, whose career at White Hart Lane seems to be over.

It is thought City are prepared to meet Spurs' €37 million asking price for the 27-year-old to bolster manager Mark Hughes' attacking options.

Should the move come off, it would represent the most amazing bit of transfer business this summer, not least because Berbatov has seemingly been destined for Manchester United.

"I think it's agreed between ourselves and Tottenham," manager Hughes said.

"Now really it's down to the boy to make a decision I think."

It still seems likely the Bulgarian will end up at Old Trafford, with United's attempts to sign the player continuing.

Manchester City's prospective new owner has revealed the club have also lodged bids for Valencia striker David Villa and Stuttgart forward Mario Gomez ahead of tonight's transfer deadline.

Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who is heading the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover of the Barclays Premier League club, said that he is "hopeful" a deal for Tottenham's Berbatov can be agreed before midnight after a fee of more than €38 million was agreed.

However, Villa and Gomez are also on the radar.

"I am hopeful about Berbatov, but I need to speak to our colleagues in England to see what the latest is," he said.

"We have bids in for three players. There is Berbatov, but there is also David Villa and Mario Gomez. We have bids in for Villa and Gomez and I am waiting to hear whether we have been successful with those (offers).

"Funds are available, and transfers such as these show we are serious."

PA