Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement in principle with Fulham for striker Louis Saha. The deal is expected to be completed later this week.
The French forward, who has made no secret of his desire to join the Old Trafford outfit, will complete his move north later this week providing there are no unforeseen problems with his medical or personal terms.
It means manager Sir Alex Ferguson has succeeded in landing his number one target for the January transfer window despite stiff opposition from Cottagers boss Chris Coleman and owner Mohamed-al-Fayed.
"Manchester United can confirm that they have reached agreement in principle with Fulham Football Club for the transfer of registration of Louis Saha, but this is subject to a number of conditions," said United in a statement this evening.
"Manchester United expects these conditions to be resolved within the next week and will make a further announcement on completion."
Ferguson has been looking to bolster his striking options in an effort to take some responsibility from the back of prolific Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
United had already had one bid for Saha turned down by Fulham and last week Coleman said he would not be bullied into selling the 25-year-old former Metz player.
Al Fayed went even further, saying he was "fed up" with Ferguson trying to disrupt his club, accusing the United boss of "unsettling" Saha.
At that point, Al Fayed insisted Saha was not for sale, while Ferguson insisted the Old Trafford outfit had done nothing more than make a private offer to Fulham for the player and were not responsible for the bid being made public.
Saha though had set his heart on the move and this week launched his own tirade against the Fulham management, threatening to leave on a Bosman once his contract had expired.
"Either I leave now or I am staying at Fulham until the end of my contract which finishes in 2006.
"If Fulham love me that much they are going to have to cope with me until the end and then I will leave them for zero Euros."
United have refused to confirm the size of the transfer fee or the length of contract Saha has been offered.
However, it is thought they would have to bid around £10million for his service and it has already been claimed Saha will sign a five-year contract.