Hodgson backs Hangeland to stay

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is confident defender Brede Hangeland will remain with the club despite continued speculation linking him with a move.

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all reportedly expressed an interest in the 28-year-old Norwegian.

Discussions over a new contract with the Cottagers are ongoing and Hodgson said: "He's a Fulham player, he's got a two-year contract at Fulham.

"We don't really intend to sell him, and he's very happy at the club."

Hangeland joined Fulham from FC Copenhagen for an undisclosed fee in January 2008.

His current deal runs out next summer, and Hodgson believes he will stay beyond that date.

"We've offered him a new contract, an improved contract, which I think he's mulling over," added Hodgson.

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"Because he hasn't immediately jumped at the chance of a new contract, people are suggesting that there will be some movement. But I will be surprised if he moved."

However, Hodgson accepts there may well come a time when Hangeland does move on to a bigger club.

"Like everything else, Cristiano Ronaldo goes from Manchester United to Real Madrid, Kaka leaves Milan, there's always going to be bigger teams out there than the team you're working for," stated the former Inter Milan boss.

"But Hangeland is a very loyal man, he's very happy at Fulham, so it would take a lot to move him but I can't give a stone-based guarantee that he won't leave us at some stage."

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