Premiership: Carew deal nears completion

Fulham are hopeful of signing giant Norway striker John Carew from Valencia in a deal believed to be worth around £7.5m.

The Premiership club today confirmed they have been in negotiations with the Spanish outfit and the player’s representatives.

Carew, 22, has fallen out of favour with new Valencia coach Rafael Benitez.

A Fulham spokesman said: ‘‘We can confirm that Fulham have been in negotiations with Valencia and representatives of John Carew.

‘‘We expect to conclude a transfer deal subject to a satisfactory outcome of a medical.’’

The 6ft 5in forward was a regular in Valencia’s first team last season, scoring 11 goals in La Liga and playing in the Champions League final which Valencia lost on penalties to Bayern Munich.

Valencia president Jaime Orti confirmed: ‘‘The player is going to London to sign for Fulham.’’

Fulham boss Jean Tigana is desperate for a new striker after Louis Saha and Luis Boa Morte failed to produce enough goals as the promoted club have adapted to life if the Barclaycard Premiership.

Cottagers chairman Mohamed al Fayed financed an £11.5m August raid for Lyon’s Steve Marlet.

But the Frenchman was sidelined for two months with a knee fracture and scored his first goal in English football against Manchester United only on Sunday.

Tigana, whose star striker this season has been surprise top-scorer Barry Hayles, was reported to have made a £5million bid for Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke and a £7.5m offer for his now-departed team-mate Andy Cole, who joined Blackburn at the weekend.