Tuesday 9th July 2002

Levski Sofia striker Georgi 'Gonzo' Ivanov is on the verge of
joining French side Rennes for a Bulgarian record fee.

"Everything is agreed and the deal should be completed within
hours," Levski director Todor Batkov told onefootball.com.

Batkov refused to name the buying club, although representatives
from Rennes have been spotted at the Gueorgui Asparuhov stadium for
talks.

"I don't want to say which club it is because we are superstitious
and nothing is final yet," explained the Levski chief. "It is a
French one and the transfer fee is likely to break the previous
record for a Bulgarian player," added Batkov.

Defender Stilian Petrov currently holds the transfer record after
moving from CSKA Sofia to Celtic for £2.8 million in 1999.

Ivanov has been linked with a series of top European clubs,
including Fulham, West Ham United, Real Mallorca and Rangers, after
starring for Levski in recent seasons

He has made himself particularly popular among the supporters by
scoring a hatful of goals in derby matches against CSKA and has won
the Bulgarian Player of the Year award for the past two seasons.

Rennes had an offer for the prolific striker turned down last week,
but are believed to have upped their bid to around £3 million.

The Brittany club also completed the signing of highly-rated Czech
Republic Under-21 goalkeeper Petr Cech on Tuesday.