By Chris O'Brien
July 31 2006

The fee that will bring Michael Carrick to Old Trafford has been confirmed at an amazing £18.6million. The 25-year-old is ready to complete his move to Old Trafford following a medical, and will be the club's first signing of the transfer window. Michael Carrick will join Manchester United for an astonishing £18.6million.

The England international is ready to complete the move to United having come through a medical and agreed personal terms with the Lancashire club. His is set to break the record for a transfer fee received by Spurs, and will pile pressure on the 25-year-old to perform.

Carrick moved across London to join Tottenham from West Ham only two seasons ago. He moved to White Hart Lane for a paltry £2.75million, meaning Spurs are set to net a massive profit on the player's services. The Hammers will also scoop an estimated £3million due to a sell-on clause in the player's cross-capital move.

The Newcastle-born man is expected to make his first appearance for the club when United jet off to the Netherlands to compete in the annual Amsterdam Tournament. Splashing out such a substantial amount of money suggests a huge risk from Sir Alex Ferguson, but Carrick is undoubtedly a player with massive promise who performed brilliantly as Spurs came so close to a top four birth last year.

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