Mark Schwarzer remains determined to quit Fulham for Arsenal
despite the appointment of Mark Hughes as manager at Craven
Cottage.
Hughes' appointment on a two-year deal was confirmed by Fulham
on Thursday and the former Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City
manager will be in the stands to watch his new side take on
Portsmouth on Saturday before being officially unveiled on
Tuesday.
Gunning for a move: Schwarzer wants to join Arsenal
despite Fulham's appointment of Hughes
Hughes will earn £2million a year before performance - related
bonuses and has been allowed to bring in his coaching team of Mark
Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock.
Fulham's caretaker manager, Ray Lewington, will stay at the club
in a coaching capacity.
But despite the arrival of the new managerial team, Schwarzer,
37, has his heart set on bringing down the curtain down on his
career at Arsenal meaning Hughes must decide whether to sanction a
deal to sign West Ham keeper Robert Green.
Fulham have already rejected a £2million offer from Arsenal for
Schwarzer who they value at double that amount.
Go Green: Fulham have identified the West Ham No 1
as a replacement for Schwarzer
A compromise deal is likely to be struck, however, and Hughes
must decide whether to use that cash and a slice of his £20m
transfer kitty to land Green who is valued in the £6m bracket by
West Ham despite his howler for England in the World Cup.
Hughes must also decide whether to finalise a £2m deal for Aston
Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell which has been on the back burner
for several weeks as Fulham sought a replacement for Roy
Hodgson.
The new Fulham manager has transfer targets of his own, of
course, and unsurprisingly the names of Craig Bellamy, Stephen
Ireland, and even Roque Santa Cruz feature on his shopping
list.
The trio are all available as City set about trimming their
squad to the require figure of 25 for the coming Barclays Premier
League campaign.
But Hughes will face competition from Spurs for Bellamy after
Sportsmail revealed that
Harry Redknapp had made a cheeky £4m bid while he would need to
take a considerable in his £95,000-a-week wages to move to either
side.
In addition, the Wales striker has told Roberto Mancini of his
desire to stay at Eastlands despite clashing with the City manager
last season, but it remains to be seen whether he will make the
cut.
Better together: Mark Hughes may look to sign
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy
Ireland's relationship with Hughes certainly boosts Fulham's
chances but a reported price tag of £10m and interest from bigger
clubs are significant stumbling blocks.
And Santa Cruz's valuation and wage packet means a loan move is
Hughes' only realistic chance of a reunion with the Paraguay
striker.
Away from City, Luke Young's decision to back out of a move from
Aston Villa to Liverpool over fears of a lack of first team action
could encourage Hughes to make a move.