Jol reveals he wanted Gago and Huddlestone at Fulham

02-Feb-2013 6:00:00 AM

The Cottagers signed three players, including Ury Emmanuelson on loan from AC Milan, and the Dutchman is delighted with his side's work during the transfer window

Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed that he failed in bids to bring Fernando Gago and Tom Huddlestone to the club on deadline day.

The Argentina international moved back to his homeland with Velez Sarsfield, while Huddlestone, who was also linked to Stoke, remains at Tottenham.

The Cottagers did sign three players on deadline day, including AC Milan’s Urby Emanuelson on loan until the end of the season and Eyong Enoh from Ajax, and Jol is satisfied with his additions.

“It was a tough month for a lot of clubs, but in the end I feel, although it was not easy, we were quite satisfied,” he told reporters.

“We had a few targets, a few positions we wanted to strengthen - on the left and defensive midfield - and in the end it came off so I was quite happy.

“My first choice target was probably Fernando Gago from Real Madrid because they wanted to get rid of him, but we couldn't get that sort of quality. But I had a few options and we went for a few players.

“Urby Emanuelson is a player I know well, comes from AC Milan and is no mug so I was quite happy to get him.

“I was talking to a player from my old club Spurs, Tom Huddlestone, but that didn't come off and [Eyong] Enoh was here already because you can't bet on one horse.

“Huddlestone was very close. They pulled out at the last moment so I was very happy Enoh was in the building and there was no damage done.”