It’s not even the end of the season yet and already the silly season’s underway. This morning’s Sun speculates that Arsene Wenger’s prepared to blow his entire transfer budget on Brede Hangeland.
It’s a typical transfer story from a tabloid. No quotes, or new information, just conjecture. Arsenal need a new centre back so they’ll be linked with anybody who is any good in this country and plenty more overseas. A few Gunners suggested on CCN the other day that our man might not fit as smoothly into their defensive system, with its high line that might expose Hangeland’s comparative lack of pace.
If it is on the money (and that’s a big if, especially as Wenger’s been heavily linked with the former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, now at West Ham), then this presents an interesting problem for Fulham. They have said they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep Hangeland, but we probably can’t refuse a bid of £15m. Firm interest from Arsenal might make Brede think twice about signing that new contract.
Such has been Roy’s success in bringing the likes of Hangeland, Pantsil and Etuhu, I’d be happy to trust him to find a good replacement for Hangeland. I doubt we’d spend all the money on a new centre back (it could be used for crucial squad strengthening in other areas ahead of the new season) and the ideal scenario is that Brede goes nowhere. A win on Sunday would really help that cause.
I think it would be hard for us to turn down that sort of money and hard for Brede to turn down an offer to play for a club of their stature. Would be sad to see him go but I agree we’d just have to trust Roy’s judgement at bringing other players in. There’s a real chance this Saturday will be the last time we see Hangeland play in Fulham colours, think we need to give him a big send off!
I really hope Sunday isn’t goodbye Chopper but if Arsenal’s interest is genuine it would be tough to keep him I imagine. A part of me thinks us making it into Europe might convince him to sign that contract.
Don’t really get why everybody’s so worried.
There was a report in the Independent only a few days ago saying that Wenger’s transfer budget would be around £13m. I can’t see him spending more than he’s allocated on one player because I don’t think there’s all that much money he could raise through player sales.
Secondly, all the media reports have been that we’re close to agreeing a new contract with both Brede and Hughes. Hangeland has said he’s happy at Fulham and would like to stay. European football would go a long way to making that a reality.
Also, the Sun’s article is full of the kind of crazy assumptions that make it typical of that paper. Fulham aren’t nearly as hard up as some of the more established clubs in the league, with their toxic levels of debt. If Hangeland moves, it won’t be because we need the money but because he wants to do.
I remain to be convinced that he’s leaving – or that Wenger will splash out big money on a defender. When was the last time that happened?