Sounders FC's Fredy Montero denies report he talked with English club

Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero denied that he has talked with representatives of an English Premier League club about a possible transfer from Seattle and a deal with Fulham.

A report in The Sun newspaper of England quoted Montero, one of four Sounders FC players named Major League Soccer All-Stars, as saying that he spoke with Fulham officials six months ago and that they are in contact with him again.

"I haven't spoken about this situation with the officials of Seattle yet but I suppose that once they receive a proposal there will not be any problem," the report quoted Montero as saying.

Montero claims to have never said anything nor had recent contact with Fulham.

"It's incorrect," Montero said after Thursday's Sounders FC practice at Qwest Field. "I haven't done anything. I'm relaxed and content here in Seattle, happy with the Sounders. My head is totally focused on MLS and the season with the team. Apart from that, my job is here."

Montero said there was never any contact six months ago with Fulham about the possibility of going there. He signed with Sounders FC in January.

Seattle general manager Adrian Hanauer declined to comment on the report but has said he has not heard from Fulham.

"I've got people around me who are working on those things and know what a transfer means," Montero said in Spanish. "The possibility of me going or not going lies, with all due respect, to the owners of my rights. For my part, I'm here to play, and I'm focused 100 percent with the Sounders and moving forward in the league."

Happy to be All-Stars

Montero, who, along with Sounders FC defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, was added to the All-Star team, said being an All-Star is "a place where many players want to get to, to have this privilege."

Hurtado said being an All-Star is incredible.

"I'm very happy to get the call," he said. "I'm looking forward to being there with the team and working hard."

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said he is happy for Hurtado.

"One on one, he has already established himself as one of the top defenders in this league," Schmid said. "He's still going to get better. He has been a tremendous addition to our team. ... I'm very happy for both our Colombians."

Busy Saturday

Sounders FC is encouraging fans to arrive early for Saturday's noon match against the Chicago Fire at Qwest Field. Along with Seafair activities going on, the Mariners will play the Cleveland Indians at 1:10 p.m. across the street at Safeco Field. Qwest Field gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Fans can expect additional traffic and congestion and are encouraged to avoid South Royal Brougham Way unless they park in the Qwest Event Center Garage. Fans parking in the garage will have access by one lane only via South Royal Brougham Way and Fourth Avenue South.

Note

• Everton FC of the English Premier League is practicing at Starfire Sports Complex in preparation for a friendly in Canada and the MLS All-Star Game, and goalkeeper Tim Howard said Thursday that Seattle was Everton's choice for training because manager David Moyes "took a liking to it and chose it." Moyes said it is "terrific" how Sounders FC soccer has been a big success in the city.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com