Schwarzer stay pleases Hughes

Cottagers boss happy with the way window panned out

Last updated: 1st September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Mark Hughes is delighted to have kept Mark Schwarzer at Fulham on a frantic transfer deadline day.

The Australia international was the subject of interest from Arsenal throughout the summer, with both parties making it clear that they would like to reach an agreement.

However, Fulham refused to waver from their stance that the experienced goalkeeper would be going nowhere unless a suitable replacement was found.

With no incomings at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, Schwarzer remains part of Hughes' plans and he is pleased to have retained a player of his considerable ability.

He told Sky Sports News: "We talked about Mark's situation on a number of occasions and ideally we wanted him to stay. We understood that there was an interest from Arsenal but given our current goalkeeping situation there was no chance of him leaving."

Reports suggested the Gunners had made one last attempt to prise Schwarzer away with a £4million bid, but Hughes insists no such offer was received.

"No, it didn't. There were two real strong enquiries but there was never a bid today," he added.

Dismissed

Hughes was also able to fend off interest in talismanic frontman Bobby Zamora as the window drew to the close, with the England international believed to have been the subject of late big-money bids.

"I think there are always enquiries about good players, but very quickly we dismissed any interest anybody had in Bobby because he's key to what we're trying to do," said Hughes.

On those he was looking to bring in to Fulham, Hughes admits he was in the market for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.

"We enquired about that but it wasn't able to be taken over the line," he said.

"There were a number of targets we hoped to bring to the club. We feel we have had a decent window, we have brought some good players to the club. We haven't been able to do anything on the last day but that doesn't mean you haven't had a good window."

Hughes also played down speculation that he had made a move for Tottenham winger David Bentley on deadline day.

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Comments (5)

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Derek Campbell (Arsenal fan) says...

Cannot believe Arsenal did not buy a keeper. How long can this go on?? The world and its mother knows Arsenal need a keeper, and Arsene has again failed to act. Bye bye, the chances of the league AGAIN this year.

Posted 16:29 1st September 2010

Chika Ifemeni (Arsenal fan) says...

I would like to look at the positive by giving Mr. Wenger credit for keeping faith in Almunia. I just hope he gives a better performance this season and help us achieve our aims for the season.

Posted 20:38 31st August 2010

Nick Prescott (Arsenal fan) says...

Utter madness on the part of Arsene Wenger not to meet Fulham''s valuation, and a decision I fear he will live to regret this season. Last season (and the Liverpool game this season) showed that Almunia is simply not good enough, and if he gets injured we are left with Fabianski whose confidence is completely shot to pieces and who is far too easily buliied in games. Why Arsene cannot see this is completely beyond me.

Posted 20:33 31st August 2010

Joe Leonard (Arsenal fan) says...

As an Arsenal fan i am bitterly disappointed that weve failed to land a new keeper!I think this will have a negative effect on our season!Almunia clearly isn''t good enough to win the league with so i cant understand how wenger hasn''t replaced him!Why not sign Shay Given 1 of the best keepers in the league who consistently produces great performances?!Or schwarzer another quality keeper who he could''ve got if he made a higher bid earlier in the window rather than play hardball an end up losing out on the last day!After the last number of seasons of almost no activety in the transfer market i was absolutely delighted with wenger this summer making 3 quality signings who look to have given us a real chance of silverware!But the defensive unit won''t be half as strong with almunia in goal an i''m gobsmacked that wenger hasn''t sorted it after already stating that he was in the market for a keeper!Its left me very frustrated and now after initially having very high hopes for the season i can''t help but feel that once again our keeper situation will be our downfall!I think wenger is one of the greatest managers in the world an hope he stays for many more years i just wish he bought a new keeper!

Posted 20:29 31st August 2010

Kristoffer Grnning (Arsenal fan) says...

Well, Arsene might regret this later on this season. He hasnt brought any keepers in to the side. Almunia and Fabianski are not just good enough.. We need that pure quality on the line, and we simply havnt got that. I dont think Schwarzer is the man, but he is by far better than our goalies.

Posted 20:03 31st August 2010
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