Brede Hangeland insists he is not for sale following talk linking the Fulham defender away from the club.
German side Borussia Dortmund are said to be keen on the former FC Copenhagen centre-back.
Newcastle and Aston Villa have also been linked with a January move for him.
But Hangeland – who signed a contract extension until 2013 last year – wants to help last season’s Europa League Finalists to push up the table.
He said: “Of course I want people to think I have done well.
“But it can be a little bit stressful at time in the transfer window when I knew there is stuff written.
“We’ve had two really good seasons now and it will be hard to top them.
“But if we can have a good year and finish maybe mid-table – perhaps a bit above that – we’ll be happy with that.”
The 6ft 4in stopper insists Mark Hughes has steadied the ship at Craven Cottage after ending the club’s long wait for a manager at the end of the August transfer window.
The Cottagers have been beaten just twice this season but Hangeland is confident they can improve on their 12th-placed finish under Roy Hodgson last season.
He added: “Its always a challenge. Especially for us. We went for a while without having a manager.
“You build up your expectations and you really want someone to come in and continue doing a good job, which he has done.
“When Hodgson decided to leave we were lucky to get someone as qualified as Mark Hughes.
“He’s a bit different in the way he approaches the training sessions and also in the games the way we play But they are different they are both good.
“We are really happy with Mark and the work he has done so far. So its looking positive and we all feel we are moving in the right direction.”
Fulham are still without striker Bobby Zamora, injured in the game against Wolves on September 11.
But Hangeland believes the club have another key man at the other end of the team.
He went on: “Bobby was playing some of his best football just before he was injured so it’s a big blow for us, no question.
“But Mark Schwarzer in goal has been a really solid performer ever since he came here. The best keeper I have played with by far so really happy to have him behind us.”