Meulensteen confident Berbatov will stick with Fulham in January after threat to leave



Rene Meulensteen is confident he has persuaded Dimitar Berbatov to stay at Fulham beyond the January transfer window.



The Bulgarian's agent Emil Dantchev revealed earlier this month his client was not happy at the club and that he wanted to leave.



Meulensteen got to know Berbatov well during his time as a coach before taking over when Martin Jol was sacked. The Dutchman has had a conversation with the maverick striker and is convinced he has changed his mind.



Going nowhere: Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen believes Dimitar Berbatov, pictured here scoring against Everton last weekend, no longer wants to leave the club

'We know each other quite well which makes a difference because I'm not a stranger to him and he's not a stranger to me,' Meulensteen said, ahead of facing Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.



'He knows the outlook I have on playing football, which I think he buys into. Looking at the performances he's put in so far, he's been excellent.



'We've spent a lot of time on the training pitch. That's where you strike up different sorts of relationships with players than being a manager. If you're a coach you're a bit easier to have chats with about concerns players have or their weaknesses or strengths.



Staying positive: Meulensteen is planning for the January transfer window in a bid to keep Fulham in the Premier League

'With the manager you're a bit more in a straight decision-making position. You're playing, or you're not, and this is the reason why.



'When you are a coach you're a bit closer to the players and it's a bit more informal where you can just discuss things.'



Former Fulham forward Clint Dempsey is on the verge of re-signing for the club on a loan deal which would last until the end of February, and he could become Berbatov's new strike partner.



Coming back: Former Fulham striker Clint Dempsey is set to return to the club on loan in January

Dempsey was hugely popular at the club until he forced through a move last year. He had a disappointing season at Tottenham before joining Seattle Sounders in August – where he now has a break in their off season. Meulensteen is certain the American will be welcomed back to Craven Cottage.



'That was in the past,' he added. 'It speaks volumes to me that in his loan opportunity he wants to come back. '





