Fulham fight for Berbatov as £15m Dembele departs for Spurs
FULHAM last night joined the accelerating race for Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov after confirming the sale of £15m Moussa Dembele to Tottenham.
The arrival of Robin van Persie at Old Trafford has further diminished Berbatov’s ranking within a striker’s hierarchy in which he was already fourth choice, and though he yesterday appeared on the verge of signing for Serie A champions Juventus, Fulham could yet persuade him to remain in England and return to London to be reunited with manager Martin Jol.
It was under Jol and at Tottenham that Berbatov produced possibly the finest form of his career and while Fulham have also enquired about West Ham midfielder Mark Noble and Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, the potential arrival of Berbatov is the one that would significantly compensate for the loss of Dembele and that of Clint Dempsey who is expected to follow.
Former United midfielder Kieran Richardson, of Sunderland, is also thought to be close to agreeing a transfer to Fulham, but they will regardless require further recruits if they are to remain competitive.