Fulham manager Mark Hughes makes signing Craig Bellamy top priority

30 July 2010 10:35
Hughes, who yesterday agreed a two-year deal to replace Roy Hodgson as manager of Fulham, is believed to have told the board at Craven Cottage that securing Bellamy's signature is of the utmost priority as he looks to continue the club's success over the last two seasons. [LNB]For his part, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to sign the City striker having tried to sign him earlier this year, but he admits he doubts the deal would ever go through. [LNB]"I like Craig Bellamy but I don't know if they would sell him," Redknapp told the Guardian. "The chairman deals with all the transfers. He asks me what I want and I tell him. I don't know where he's at with Bellamy, if anywhere." [LNB]However it seems that if Bellamy were to move, Hughes would have the upper hand having worked with the 31-year-old at three different clubs as well as during his brief stint as Wales manager. [LNB]Talking to Fulham's website for the first time after it was announced he would succeed Hodgson, Hughes made it clear he had explained his vision for the club to chairman chairman Mohamed Al Fayed. [LNB]"I have discussed my aspirations with the chairman and [the chief executive] Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here. I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition. [LNB]"I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward. I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign."[LNB]Bellamy aside, it has also been reported that Hughes wants to sign former players midfielder Stephen Ireland and the striker Roque Santa Cruz, also from City. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph