September 21 2010

Julian Speroni

JULIAN SPERONI admits he was disappointed not to seal a transfer window switch to Fulham.

Palace refused to sell the goalkeeper to the Premier League club who needed a replacement for Mark Schwarzer - a target for Arsenal.

SPERONI's contract expires at the end of the season and talks about extending it have stalled.

The ambitious stopper, 30, says he is happy to stay with the Eagles but was upset about missing out on a chance to play top flight football.

"Of course I knew of the interest and I must admit at the time it was a bit disappointing," he said.

"It was a good opportunity for me to go and play at the highest level but in the end I'm not sure how talks went and it is not myself that makes the last decision.

"I have been here a long time and I am very happy here so I have no problem staying. It was more the chance to play in the Premier League, not that I want to leave Palace.

"I am not thinking of that now though, I just want to concentrate on my football. I don't try to mix things. One thing is what happens off the pitch and the other is what I do on it."