Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has denied there has been interest in defender Brede Hangeland from Arsenal.
Hangeland, who signed from FC Copenhagen in January, has been in imperious form for the Cottagers this season, marshalling a lean defence that has frustrated Aston Villa and Liverpool in the last two Premier League games.
Speculation this week suggested the Gunners are keen on the 27-year-old Norway captain, but Hodgson insists there is no truth in the rumours.
However, he admitted, if an offer was made, it would have to be considered, adding it might be naive to think Hangeland would reject a lucrative move to stay at the club.
“We have had absolutely no indication that Arsenal or any other club of that stature have had any interest in Brede Hangeland,” said Hodgson.
“I sometimes wonder if these stories are educated guesses from people looking and seeing that William Gallas has had a fall-out with the other players, thinking Arsenal will want to get another centre-half, looking at what centre-halves are available and linking them with Arsenal Football Club.
“If a serious offer comes our way for Brede, I’m pretty sure it’ll have to be considered but I would hope – and this might be a naive hope – that we could still keep him because he’s got a long-term contract with us here.
“I know he’s happy with us here and I know he’s happy with his football. And it’d be nice to think that we could keep him with us.
“But, in the meantime, it’s not something that affects our thinking in any way and hopefully it hasn’t affected his either because I don’t know what he reads into that type of speculation.”
