Source: Team_Talk
Schwarzer's all shook up - Hughes
Mark Hughes admits Fulham's Mark Schwarzer is being distracted by interested from Arsenal but is determined to keep him at Craven Cottage.[LNB] On Thursday, the Gunners renewed the £2million offer they made for goalkeeper Schwarzer in May hoping the Australian's decision to hand in a transfer request would force Fulham to sell.[LNB]But Hughes remains firm in his desire to keep the 37-year-old, who is a doubt for Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United because of a back problem, and insists his departure is not a foregone conclusion.[LNB]"There wasn't an improved offer from Arsenal - it was exactly the same one that was put forward in May," said the Welshman.[LNB]"I don't know if Arsenal are trying to disrupt him. There are many things clubs, players and agents do to unsettle players.[LNB]"Mark is aware of the interest of Arsenal. That knowledge is distracting and disruptive.[LNB]"But the status quo is the same - we wouldn't encourage an improved bid. It's not at all inevitable he will leave."[LNB]Manchester City's Shay Given is viewed a possible replacement for Schwarzer should he depart, but his former boss at Eastlands refused to comment on the speculation.[LNB]"Shay is a very talented goalkeeper who I know very well and I paid good money to take him to Man City, but he's their player so it's not in my interest to talk about him," said Hughes.[LNB]Attempts to lure another City player to Craven Cottage failed when Craig Bellamy opted to join npower Championship club Cardiff.[LNB]Hughes held talks with the Wales international but accepts his decision to return to his home town - even if it is a loss to the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]"I'm delighted for Craig and he looks very happy with his decision. People should respect that," he said.[LNB]"He's gone back to his home town club at a time when he still feels he has the means and ability to make an impact.[LNB]"Good luck to him. I think he'll have a huge impact on Wales, Cardiff and the Championship.[LNB]"The only regret is that he should still be playing in the Premier League, but I wish him well.[LNB]"I had conversations with Craig but fairly quickly I understood he wanted to go home. I respect that."[LNB]Fulham are waiting on paperwork before completing the signing of Benfica's Algeria defender Rafik Halliche in a deal reportedly worth £1.3million.[LNB]Hughes is looking forward to locking horns with his old manager Sir Alex Ferguson when United visit Craven Cottage - the setting of their 3-0 drubbing last season.[LNB]Ferguson showered Paul Scholes with praise after Monday's victory over Newcastle and Hughes believes the emergence of the gifted midfielder resulted in his own departure from Old Trafford in 1995.[LNB]"I could see his quality back then and I think he hastened my exit!" he said.[LNB]"Alex had complete faith in the young players like Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt.[LNB]"They were the future and I was the past. Sir Alex always was and still is very good at making key decisions at the right time. He got that one right."
