Mark Schwarzer will not be going to Arsenal
Fulham have confirmed that Mark Schwarzer will not be moving to Arsenal in this transfer window.
The Australian goalkeeper has been targeted by the Gunners all summer, with Fulham rejecting two bids of £2million already. Schwarzer handed in a transfer request and has revealed he wants to play Champions League football, but his hopes have been dashed.
Today in a last-ditch attempt, it was believed the offer had been increased to around £4million. Now, Fulham have said he will not be leaving the club.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has been on the lookout for a new No.1 after current ‘keepers Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski have made high-profile errors over the course of last season. The goalkeeping situation at Arsenal remains to be a problem, and has been identified by Wenger, as well as ex-Arsenal players such as Ian Wright and Bob Wilson saying Wenger should bring in a new face.
Schwarzer would have provided some stability to a defence that has been shaky over the last few years. Arsenal fans may be disappointed by the end of the day if a new ‘keeper doesn’t come in. Although Almunia had a solid game in the 2-1 win over Blackburn on the weekend, he has said he would leave if a new shot-stopper came in.
The whole deal looks like it rested on Shay Given of Manchester City, who last night said he would fight for his place at the club. If Fulham were able to bring in Given, then they would have let Schwarzer leave. Also, current No.2 ‘keeper David Stockdale suffered an injury for Fulham, so they were reluctant to let Schwarzer leave.
Do Arsenal have other ‘keepers on their radar to try and snap up today?
Fans will be hoping so.
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