BERBAT-OFF
Dimitar eyes return to Spurs as Fulham gamble on shake-up
DIMITAR Berbatov is set to leave Fulham today, with a shock return to Tottenham still a possibility. Manager Rene Meulensteen will overhaul his squad on deadline day in a bold attempt to stave off relegation.
A loan deal for Tottenham’s Lewis Holtby is being discussed, a joint bid has been placed for Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe of Manchester United, talks are ongoing with Sporting Lisbon over a loan for Argentina defender Marcos Rojo and Fulham may yet make a fresh bid for West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison.
Olympiacos striker Kostas Mitroglou was having a medical ahead of completing his £12.4m move last night while Denmark midfielder William Kvist has joined on loan from Stuttgart. Another bid for Phil Bardsley of Sunderland has been rejected.
Fulham will also listen to offers for striker Hugo Rodallega today but the 28-year-old Colombian is unlikely to leave if Berbatov secures a move.
Tottenham are keen to bring in a striker, although opinion is split at the club over whether the 32-year-old Bulgarian is the right candidate. Talks over a potential switch will continue this morning but there is willingness to complete a deal on Berbatov’s part.
Meanwhile, Adel Taarabt signed for AC Milan on loan yesterday. The Moroccan midfielder, 24, will join until the end of the season with a view to making his move permanent in the summer.
Taarabt said: ‘I am honoured to be able to play at the best club in the world. I have spoken with Clarence Seedorf and we are both happy. I do not know Mario Balotelli personally, but I am pleased to be able to play with him.’
TORINO are in talks over a loan for Manchester United full back Guillermo Varela, who was David Moyes’s first signing.
Julian Draxler is ready to seal his move to ARSENAL but Arsene Wenger was last night balking at Schalke’s demands. The Germans are adamant they want £37m for the 20-year-old.
The clubs are also haggling over the structure of the payments — with Schalke demanding a large percentage up front.
Arsenal doctor Gary O’Driscoll is on standby to fly to Germany and complete Draxler’s medical ahead of tonight’s deadline.
Arsenal are also trying to bring in a striker on loan, with Alvaro Morata, Miroslav Klose and Cristian Tello all candidates.