Fulham deny Schwarzer wants out

Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has handed in a transfer request with Fulham, reports say.

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FULHAM have denied an English newspaper report that Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has handed in a transfer request.

The Socceroos stopper has been linked with a move to English Premier League giants Arsenal since before the World Cup, with Fulham already rejecting a STG2 million ($A3.47 million) bid for the 37-year-old.

English tabloid the Sun reported on Wednesday Schwarzer had stunned the Cottagers by handing in a transfer request after new manager Mark Hughes said last week he wouldn't be letting his goalkeeper leave.

A Fulham spokeswoman however said the report was incorrect.

"The club has not received a transfer request from Mark Schwarzer," she said.

"Mark is under contract with us until the summer of 2011 and the manager has underlined his commitment to keep hold of his best players."

Schwarzer has also been mentioned as part of the reason behind Martin O'Neill's decision to sensationally quit as Aston Villa manager just days before the start of the new season.

It's believed American goalkeeper Brad Friedel was being lined up by Hughes as a replacement for Schwarzer at Fulham if the Australian moved to the Emirates Stadium.

That rumour apparently tipped O'Neill, unhappy that the board even entertained the thought of the departure of the American keeper, along with the sale of James Milner and the uncertainty surrounding Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, into his decision to walk out of Villa Park.

But Friedel says he had never expressed any desire to move to Fulham and the rumours were nothing but speculation.

"That story was made up," the 39-year-old told the Independent.

"I've never had contact from Fulham or with Fulham. I never had a conversation with Martin about it. I don't know where that came from."