LONDON, England, August 31 – Fulham won the race to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United on Friday after the Bulgarian striker completed his move to Craven Cottage for an undisclosed fee.
Berbatov agreed a two-year contract with the west London team after snubbing interest from a host of clubs across Europe.
The 31-year-old had been a target for Italian sides Juventus and Fiorentina, while United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed on Friday that Tottenham were interested in re-signing their former star.
But Berbatov, who angered Fiorentina by deciding not to join them despite agreeing terms with the Serie A outfit, was persuaded to move to Fulham by his former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who is now in charge at Craven Cottage.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Fulham and I look forward to playing under Martin Jol once again,” Berbatov told Fulham’s website.
“As soon as I was aware of Fulham’s interest my decision to join was an easy one to make.
“I’m impressed with the set up here and the people have made me feel welcome. There is a close and personal feel around the club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Berbatov, who scored 56 goals in 149 appearances for United after a £30 million move from Tottenham in 2008, had been keen to leave Old Trafford since falling out of favour with Ferguson last season.
Jol hopes to revive Berbatov’s career and he added: “Dimitar is a player I’ve always admired. He did well for me at Spurs and I’m sure that he will do well here at Fulham.
“He’s a player of great quality and technical ability who will give me the attacking option I’ve been looking for.
“When he’s not scoring goals, his ingenuity often leads to chances being created for his team-mates and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to convince him to come to us, as there was a lot of attention from other clubs.”
City bag Swansea’s Sinclair
Manchester City completed their £6 million swoop for Swansea winger Scott Sinclair as the Premier League champions set the pace in the frantic final hours before the transfer window closes on Friday.
With only a few hours left to bring in new players before the window shuts until January, England’s top-flight clubs are engaged in a frenzy of last-minute wheeling and dealing that could see a host of top stars on the move.
City boss Roberto Mancini has endured a frustrating time in the transfer market since the end of last season, but his move for the highly-rated Sinclair could trigger a late flurry of action at Eastlands.
“I’m just glad everything is settled and that I’m now a City player,” Sinclair said.
“There were times when I thought it might not happen so I’m relieved that I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Mancini won’t be satisfied with just Sinclair’s signature however as he has also been linked with Inter Milan right-back Maicon, Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia and Fiorentina defender Matija Nastasic.
To make room for his fresh recruits, Mancini sold Nigel de Jong to AC Milan, while Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz could be on the move to Malaga.
Liverpool sell Charlie Adams
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers continued his Anfield clear-out as Scotland international Charlie Adam was sold to Stoke for £4 million, while fellow midfielder Jay Spearing joined Bolton on a season-long loan.
Rodgers has been looking to bring in American forward Clint Dempsey from Fulham and that deal could still be on even though Aston Villa have had an offer accepted by the Cottagers.
“We’re hopeful of adding to the squad. There are a number of players we’re looking at,” Rodgers said on Friday.
Across Merseyside, Everton are close to signing Bryan Oviedo from FC Copenhagen after agreeing a fee for the Costa Rica defender.
Tottenham also look set for a busy day after Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart headed to Germany to re-sign for his former club Hamburg.
That could prompt a significant spending spree from Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who is reported to be interested in Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Fulham signed former England left-back Kieran Richardson from Sunderland, who then landed Tottenham defender Danny Rose on loan as a replacement.
Swansea, needing a replacement for Sinclair, are hoping to sign Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez for £5.5million and the Spaniard is undergoing a medical at the Liberty Stadium.
Arsenal in Essien link
Arsenal have been linked with a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, but their first action of deadline day was to allow South Korea striker Park Chu-young to go out on loan to Celta Vigo with a view to a permanent switch.
Nicklas Bendtner also looks to be heading out of the Emirates Stadium as the Denmark striker is reportedly undergoing a medical with Italian champions Juventus.
QPR boss Mark Hughes has already signed a host of new players since the end of last season, but he is still in the market for more and confirmed that Marseille defender Stephane Mbia is en route to London for a medical.
Mbia, 26, could join QPR as part of a swap for Joey Barton, who has been in the south of France for talks with Marseille this week.
“He is en route as we speak. Hopefully we will get him in to a medical quite quickly,” Hughes said when asked about Mbia.
