Source: SKY_Sports
Fulham to fight for Hangeland
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is prepared to fight to keep defender Brede Hangeland at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal have long been linked with an interest in the towering centre-half, with news of Kolo Toure's exit to Manchester City further fuelling speculation of a bid.
Hangeland, though, has been offered a new contract at Fulham, who will compete in this season's Europa League, and Hodgson insists the Norwegian is happy at the club.
"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.
"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.
"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."
He continued: "It's no surprise he has been linked with clubs because really good quality centre-halves are always at a premium," he said.
"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.
"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."
