The Serie A club claim that a fee for the Bulgarian's transfer had been accepted by United and that personal terms were agreed verbally with the forward.

Juventus were also interested in Berbatov but according to their president, Giuseppe Marotta, the player will now join Fulham in order to remain in England and play under his former coach at Tottenham, Martin Jol.

Fiorentina have now expressed their disgust with the behaviour of competing clubs and insist that the 31-year-old 'did not deserve to wear our jersey'.

"The player got on the flight with his agent and on tickets paid for by Fiorentina," the statement read. "He never arrived in Florence.

"This was down to outlandish and arrogant behaviour of other clubs, who have nothing to do with fair play and sporting ethics that go even beyond the confines of fairness.

"As for the player, apart from his characteristics and his value on the field, at this stage we are happy he didn't come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city, to wear our jersey or the values that represent it."