Italian football club Fiorentina have become enraged at Manchester United's Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov for ruining his transfer even though the Italians say they paid their first installment for him.

The outrage against Berbatov has spread among football fans in Italy, according to the Italian press.

A club statement of Fiorentina criticized the 31-year-old Bulgarian striker, who according to latest reports will end up in the English club Fulham, for failing to arrive in Florence after they paid for his flight to finalize the move.

"He's not worthy of our city, our shirt and the values it represents," it said, as cited by the BBC.

They claim United granted written permission for Berbatov to travel to Florence for a medical and sign the contract.

"The player embarked in the company of his agent and with tickets paid by Fiorentina on a direct flight to Florence," the statement added. "But the player never arrived in Florence.

"[This was] owing to the reckless and arrogant actions of other clubs which have nothing to do with the values of decency, fair play and ethics of the sport and which go beyond the limits of fairness.

"As for the player, notwithstanding his characteristics and technical merit, at this point we are happy that he did not come to Fiorentina."

Berbatov's agent was unavailable for immediate comment.

Meanwhile, Juventus chief Marotta has defended Juventus against Fiorentina's accusations.

"We have acted with the maximum fairness and transparency with regard to the market dynamics," Marotta told Sky Italia.

"I reject the allegations from Fiorentina. We entered into the business over Berbatov when we heard that he had refused Fiorentina."

In July, Berbatov conceded it would be "better for everyone" that he leaves Old Trafford after starting just five Premier League matches last season.

He has seen his chances of earning more regular first-team football diminish further with the arrival this summer of GBP 24 M striker Robin van Persie from Arsenal.