City still in the market as Fulham swoop for Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov has opted for a move to Fulham over a return to Tottenham while Rafael van der Vaart left White Hart Lane with activity increasing as the closing of the transfer window draws ever nearer.

Berbatov has joined the Cottagers from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.

Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol had been confident of landing the Bulgarian, but there had been rumours Spurs could hijack the transfer after Alex Ferguson this morning insisted a deal had not been completed.

But the 31-year-old has now become a Fulham player and is reunited with Jol, who managed him during their time at Tottenham.

Berbatov told the Fulham website: “I’m delighted to have signed for Fulham and I look forward to playing under Martin Jol once again.

“As soon as I was aware of Fulham’s interest my decision to join was an easy one to make.”

Jol has also brought in Kieran Richardson from Sunderland on a three-year deal, with the fee undisclosed.

As well as missing out on Berbatov, current Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has seen Van der Vaart seal a move back to Hamburg.

Van Der Vaart’s switch went through this afternoon after the Holland international passed his medical and signed a three-year deal.

Spurs have also reached agreement for the transfer of Mexico international Giovani Dos Santos to Mallorca, while full-back Danny Rose has been loaned to Sunderland.

The north London club have traditionally been busy on deadline day, and this time around they have also been linked with swoops for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with less than seven hours until the window shuts.

Elsewhere, there were plenty of comings and goings at Manchester City.

Nigel De Jong signed for AC Milan while Scott Sinclair has completed his move to the Etihad Stadium from Swansea.

Dutch international De Jong, 27, underwent a medical this morning before completing his move to the San Siro on a three-year deal.

Sinclair sealed his switch from Swansea for an initial fee of £6.2m as he filled the gap left by Adam Johnson’s move to Sunderland.

“I’m just glad everything is settled and that I’m now a City player,” said 23-year-old Sinclair, who featured for Team GB at the Olympics.

“There were times when I thought it might not happen so I’m relieved that I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”

City boss Roberto Mancini has also brought in Inter Milan defender Maicon and veteran goalkeeper Richard Wright.

The Italian remains hopeful of bringing in defender Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina, with Stefan Savic set to move in the opposite direction, while City have also been linked with Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who allowed £35million striker Andy Carroll to join West Ham on loan last night, has also offloaded Charlie Adam.

The Scotland midfielder has joined Stoke on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £4m.

Jay Spearing is another to leave the Reds after he joined Bolton on a season-long loan.

Rodgers has been looking to bring in Clint Dempsey from Fulham, but Aston Villa have agreed a fee for the United States international, although it is understood his preferred option is a move to Anfield.

Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton, meanwhile, were closing in on the signing of Bryan Oviedo from FC Copenhagen after agreeing a fee for the Costa Rica international.

Arsenal have been linked with a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, but their first action of deadline day was to allow South Korea forward Park Chu-young to go out on loan to Celta Vigo with a view to a permanent switch.

Nicklas Bendtner also looks to be heading out of the Emirates as the Dane is reportedly undergoing a medical at Italian champions Juventus.

With Sinclair gone Swansea are set to complete the signing of Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez for £5.5m, the Spaniard is currently undergoing a medical at the Liberty Stadium.

But deals to bring in Feyenoord’s Jerson Cabral or Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha now appear unlikely.