Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is desperately trying to convince Fulham to let him move to English premier league powerhouse Arsenal for the new season.
The premier league season starts this weekend and the 37-year-old is keen to play for the Gunners.
DAILY MAIL: Schwarzer showdown
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"I've had a couple of chats with (new Fulham manager) Mark (Hughes)," he told News Ltd newspapers following Australia's 2-0 loss to Slovenia in Ljubljana.
"It's delicately poised.
"Who wouldn't be keen to go to Arsenal?
"At this stage in my career it's an amazing opportunity to play at that level and one I really want to take.
"Only time will tell whether that happens or not."
In the twilight of his career, a transfer to north London could be Schwarzer's last chance to play in the Champions League.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to hire him, having lost confidence in Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.
Fulham open their season at Bolton on Saturday but Schwarzer said he would not sit out the match in protest.
"I have never sat out a game (to prove a point) and never would," he said.
"But it needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.
"I'm not sure whether I'll play (for Fulham) on the weekend."
London's Daily Mail said Schwarzer caught an earlier flight back to London on Thursday but the club and Schwarzer's management were tight-lipped about the situation.
The only Australian to have played for Arsenal was John Kosmina in the late 1970s, he turned in four matches but only started on one occasion in 1978/79.
Schwarzer, a veteran of two World Cups, has been in career-best form over the past 12 months.
The long-time Middlesbrough stopper enjoyed his finest season in 2009/10 and was named the premier league's player of the month for February.
His form at the back helped guide Fulham to last season's Europa League final.
The Australian formed a strong bond with manager Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage but Hodgson's departure last month for Liverpool left Schwarzer with one less reason to stay at the south-west
