Coleman cools Kluivert talk

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has played down reports linking the club with a move for out-of-favour Valencia striker Patrick Kluivert.

The Cottagers were rumoured to be considering offering the former Newcastle striker a return to The Premiership after learning of his availability.

Kluivert has been told he is allowed to leave the Spanish outfit during the summer after just one year at the club.

Coleman has insisted Craven Cottage will not be his next destination, but did confirm he was hoping to bring in at least one new face before the end of the month.

"No. If I was looking at Patrick Kluivert I wouldn't be telling anybody," Coleman told Sky Sports News.

"I rarely talk about players at other clubs unless we are absolutely, 99 percent certain that a deal is going to be done.

"We're looking at many players but I can tell you now that Patrick Kluivert is not one of them.

"We're looking at other players and obviously those names will stay private.

"But we haven't given up on signing another player before the deadline and fingers crossed we'll have another new face."

Meanwhile, Coleman says he is no closer to discovering the outcome of Steed Malbranque's ongoing transfer saga.

The French midfielder has been made available for transfer after refusing to sign a new contract, with West Ham and Bolton both confirming their interest in the player.

The Cottagers boss is hoping for a speedy conclusion to the matter but is adamant it will not get in the way of his preparations for Saturday's game against Sheffield United.

He added: "Who knows, I don't know, I hope so for his sake and for our sake but at the minute it's not about Steed or where he's going, it's about Sheffield United tomorrow."