Fiorentina demand Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov pay for flight after snubbing Serie A side

Dimitar Berbatov's agent is facing a demand to repay Fiorentina money they spent in trying to secure the striker's signature this summer.

The Viola were still fuming yesterday after being snubbed by Berbatov during the transfer window, which saw the 31-year-old join Fulham from Manchester United.

The Serie A side claimed last week they had paid for Berbatov and his agent to fly to Italy on transfer deadline day before being gazumped, declaring their actions proved the player was not worthy to wear the club's shirt.

Fiorentina sporting director Daniel Prade has revealed he will pursue Emil Dantchev for the cost of the duo's airline tickets and other expenses.

"Berbatov? The final lines of our press statement are just my thoughts," Prade told Radio Blu.

"I'm glad that he did not arrive. We will request to his agent the money we paid for their flight to come to Florence, 100%."

Meanwhile, Press Association Sport understands Zdenek Grygera will be given the chance to prove he is worthy of a place in Fulham's Barclays Premier League squad for the first half of the season, despite being omitted from their original submission.

Czech defender Grygera has remained with the Cottagers since his contract expired this summer as he continues his recovery from the serious cruciate ligament injury he suffered last season.

Manager Martin Jol was last month still deciding whether to offer the 32-year-old a new deal, which would automatically see him added to Fulham's squad because the club registered fewer than 25 players on Tuesday.

PA