Chris Baird Position Defender DOB 13/09/1973 P.O.B. Nth Ireland Height 6' 00" Club Southampton Nation Nth Ireland

Fulham transfer target, Southampton defender Chris Baird, has submitted a transfer request.

The London club were reported to have made a £2.5m bid for the 25-year-old last week which was rejected by Southampton. At the time Saints manager George Burley called the offer "derisory".

The Cottagers manager Lawrie Sanchez knows Baird from his time as Northern Ireland Manager and admires his ability to play as a central defender or as a full-back.

Today Southampton issued the following short statement:

"We have received a transfer request from Chris Baird. There is no further comment at this stage."

Baird has another two years to run on his current contract but Southampton have to consider their financial situation as their Premiership parachute payments start to dry up.

In the circumstances the Saints are unlikely to block the transfer but may try to increase the transfer fee by offering the defender to other Prem