Source: Eurosport
Hodgson will fight off Hangeland interest
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has warned Arsenal he will do everything possible to keep Brede Hangeland at Craven Cottage this summer.[LNB] Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is preparing for a season without Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos as centre-back options and is known as an admirer of Norway international Hangeland. Hangeland, 28, has been offered a new contract at Fulham and Hodgson insists his player is happy at the club, even if he is braced for interest from other sides.[LNB] "As far as we're concerned we want Brede Hangeland to stay with us here," Hodgson said. "We are going to be as desperate as a club can be to hold onto him."[LNB] The Cottagers boss added: "In the meantime the speculation will be abounding and we will get on with the job and try not to be too disturbed by them.[LNB] "He is happy here at Fulham and not desperately seeking a move elsewhere but we also know there are bigger clubs out there than Fulham and if one comes along we'll have to deal with the situation. Let's hope that is a bridge we don't have to cross."[LNB] Hangeland is in the squad for the Europa League clash against FK Vectra, with Fulham leading 3-0 from the first leg against the Lithuanian side. After featuring in that win Hangeland is cup-tied for the Champions League - but Hodgson is not shocked to hear the centre-back being linked with top clubs.[LNB] "It's no surprise he has been linked with clubs because really good quality centre-halves are always at a premium," he said. [LNB] "When a club like Arsenal - or Manchester City or Liverpool - when they lose a player the attention will always turn towards who the other good centre-backs are in the Premier League and who they could be looking at.[LNB] "Arsenal have done their business very quietly and they keep things to themselves. We have had no contact with Arsenal and whether there is an interest only Arsene knows. When I see him interviewed he says he has enough centre-halves and is not in the market for one. Only he knows what his true feelings are."[LNB] Hodgson, meanwhile, is closing in on the signing of South Africa midfielder Kagiso "KG" Dikgacoi. The Cottagers have agreed a fee with Golden Arrows and are awaiting a tribunal before Dikgacoi is granted a work permit.
