Rene thinks Berbatov may choose to stay

Rene Meulensteen believes he may have talked Dimitar Berbatov out of leaving Fulham.

Berbatov’s agent recently stated that the striker wants a move away from Craven Cottage in January after a disastrous start to the season that has put the Whites in deep relegation trouble.

But the new boss says Berbatov, 33, could yet stay.

“All the talk of Berbatov’s unhappiness was before I took over. I’ve spoken to him and I could well have persuaded him to stay,” Meulensteen explained.

“I don’t now what he was unhappy about, but I don’t think anybody knows. He’s the sort of person that keeps his cards close to his chest.

“But I feel I could have persuaded him to stay, just by looking at his performances, and because we know each other quite well.

“I’m not a stranger to him and he’s not a stranger to me. He knows the outlook I have on playing football, which I think he buys into, and his performances so far for me have been excellent.”

Fulham are expected to capture former Whites favourite Clint Dempsey on loan when the transfer window re-opens, after the American underwent a medical.

And Meulensteen believes the chance to play alongside Dempsey could appeal to Berbatov.

He said: “The pair of them together is an exciting prospect.

“Clint’s arrival will definitely help Dimitar and I’m sure he’ll be delighted to have a player of Clint’s calibre around him.

“I’ve tried to create a sort of base for the team – a platform – with Dimitar. You want players to play to their strengths and Berbatov is such a good base to play up to.

“But then you need penetration from other areas and that’s what we’re trying to create.

“Clint has had excellent years at Fulham and it speaks volumes of him that he wants to come back.”

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