Jol remains hopeful over Hangeland contract talks

Feb 28, 2013 8:00:00 PM

The Fulham boss believes that the Norway international's future could finally be resolved before the season's end, stating that dialogue between the two parties is underway

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes that the club still stand a good chance of agreeing a new deal to keep hold of centre-back Brede Hangeland.

The 31-year-old defender, who first arrived at Craven Cottage back in 2008 from Copenhagen, is out of contract at the end of the season and is currently free to negotiate with other interested parties.

Nevertheless, the Norway international has been a key figure for the club again this season, making 23 Premier League appearances, and Jol hopes that a compromise can be agreed in the near future.


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40/1	Brede Hangeland is 40/1 with William Hill to score the first goal in Sunderland v Fulham

"We are talking to quite a few players [about contract extensions]," the Cottagers boss told reporters.

"He is one of them. It's about him but we are talking so it's a positive thing and he wants to stay here. That's good.

"So there is no news now but hopefully [there will be] in the next couple of weeks."

Fulham travel away to Sunderland on Saturday and Jol admits that he was interested in signing striker Steven Fletcher in the summer before he moved to Martin O'Neill's side instead.

"Yes," he replied when asked if he had moved for the Scot, "but he was quite expensive.

"Sunderland are well-known for getting these players in. They did that with Connor Wickham. They paid a lot of money for him.

"You could say Fletcher is doing well but why shouldn't he be? He is a terrific No.9."

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