Roy Hodgson is delighted to hold on to Brede Hangeland, but admits he has been surprised that no club has made an offer for the Fulham centre back.
Hodgson, who was annoyed with Jonathan Greening’s agent for holding up his move from West Brom, also laid the blame for what he called ‘an incredible summer of mass media speculation’ at the feet of Hangeland’s agent, who he suspects has been touting the Norway captain around. Hodgson insists that the player is keen to reach agreement on a new contract to stay at Craven Cottage.
It has been an incredible summer of mass media speculation, which I’m quite pleased about – because Brede deserves it. But the simple truth is not once has a club rung me or (Fulham chief executive) Alistair (Mackintosh) and asked about Brede and what price we’d need to sell him.
I’m a little bit surprised that we haven’t had any clubs knocking on the door saying we want to buy him from you, but I’m obviously not regretting it. We have had to accept that, because he is anxious to get a new contract at this club, his agent has been quite active at marketing him.