Transfer News: Dimitar Berbatov on the verge of a £5 million move to Fulham

According to a report by the Guardian, Dimitar Berbatov is finally making his long-anticipated exit from Old Trafford in a £5 million move for Fulham FC. As the report indicates, it appears that Serie A sides Fiorentina and Juventus made recent pushes for the striker's services but ultimately, it is the west London side that won out. According to Cottagers manager Martin Jol, the 31-year-old has already begun to take his medical:

"Berbatov is finishing his medical and if everything is good he will be one of our players. There were a lot of clubs interested in him but we were able and capable of getting him. He was on my list all the time. I tried to do something months ago and it didn’t come off so I came back and it was the right moment for him to make his decision."

- Jol | Source: FulhamFC.com

Berbatov made his move to Manchester United from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2008 for a club-record transfer fee of £30 million. That price tag, and for what some perceived as a lack of work-rate, made him a controversial figure at United. His sublime skill is undeniable though and it was certainly a treat to watch the silky Bulgarian whenever he produced his moments of genius. If it wasn't for his tremendous form in the first-half of the 2010/11 season -- when he was the Premier League's joint Golden Boot winner -- United likely wouldn't have captured their record 19th league title that season. He, along with Nani, carried a lifeless United attack that didn't really liven up until Wayne Rooney hit world-class form in that season's latter half.

Berbatov was in the last season of his contract and with him being 31-years-old, getting £5 million for him isn't terrible business -- especially when considering that every pursuing club had the leverage of knowing that the striker was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. With the quartet of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, and Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) in the strike force, Berba was never going to be in Fergie's plans for this season (nor was he last season). In addition, if the reported wages of £110k per week are accurate, then United essentially rid of themselves of another £5+ million in financial commitments. This is a good deal all around and the smooth Bulgarian should finally get his shackles removed at Craven Cottage so that he can once again display his brilliance.