The News of the World is reporting that Martin O’Neill is set to make Brede Hangeland his major summer transfer target.
The Aston Villa manager is apparently looking for a new centre back as a replacement for Martin Laursen, who is rumoured to be ready to call time in his career after failing to recover from a troublesome knee injury. O’Neill will test Fulham’s determination to hold onto Hangeland with a bid of around £10m.
Fulham are hoping to keep Hangeland, who had an uncharastically shaky afternoon at Stamford Bridge yesterday, at Craven Cottage by agreeing a new, long-term deal with the Norway captain.
I also had to laugh at one of the comments under the NOTW article from a Villa fan bemoaning the presence of Zat Knight in their first team squad. Thanks for the £3.5m guys!
Thanks for the money for Davis and Hughes guys! 😉
Personally think Hughes has been a steal. Much rather have him than Knight.
Hughes has been immense this season. He’s part of the best defence we’ve had in the Premier League. I’ll take that – and Davis, if Sanchez’s side was organised to his strengths, could have really made a mark in a Fulham shirt.
lol 3.5m, gratz, they were part of a poor relegation battling villa side, and they struggled to get in
i’d much rather lukey young, and petrov/sidwell?
Sidwell didn’t do very much at Chelsea and seems to be more of a squad player than a regular at Villa, although your opinion is obviously more well-informed than mine.
Petrov, on the other hand, has always impressed me when I’ve seen him.
Stand by my view that Hughes has had a great season – quietly efficient. Best of luck for the rest of the season.
Hughes has been very good this season. Must admit that I’m pleased to have had to reverse my opinion on him based on his good form.
Not so sure that Davis was such a good signing. But, if he did cost £3.5m, then that’s about the same as Villa paid for a guy we bought for a few tracksuits. I thought Knight got a few too many brickbats when he was at the Cottage for a guy who was obviously trying but Hangeland’s a real step up.
I do hope we can sort out a long-term contract for Hangeland. Whilst Roy could probably find a good replacement, it would be a real blow to lose such a commanding centre back.
£3.5m for a 4th choice centre back who supports the club and try’s his best everytime he plays is a good player to have in your squad.
Ok Zat isnt the greatest centre back, but i feel he’s done pretty well in his Villa career, bar a few blips in concentration… but then what defender doesnt have those moments… Ferdinand, Vidic, Terry, it happens to them all.
I hope Villa can get Hangeland, You guys have one hell of a player there!