NYTT: Norske i britisk fotball, Part II

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Byrne FK defender Johnson on way to New York Red Bull
New York Red Bull are close to securing the services of Costa Rican defender Carlos Johnson from Byrne FK in Norway, according to the team's official website.
"We are very far along in our discussions with Carlos Johnson," Red Bulls technical director Jeff Agoos said. "We thought with the strong possibility with Carlos coming in and with Carlos Mendes and Jeremy Hall being able to play at that position, we felt that Chris [Leitch] would be better served playing in San Jose."

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PEDERSEN PLANNING ROVERS STAY
Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has offered an indication of the impact of manager Sam Allardyce by announcing his desire to sign an extended deal with the relegation-threatened club.
Speculation suggested Pedersen faced an uncertain future at Ewood Park under former boss Paul Ince, with the Norwegian terminating contract discussions in December as he was not guaranteed first-team opportunities.
However, Ince was sacked later that month and Allardyce was named successor to the former England captain as Blackburn looked for a lift in their battle to avoid the drop.
The one-time Premier League champions remain in the bottom three, but Pedersen has played a part in 10 of Allardyce's 15 games and he has been impressed by his new boss.
When asked if he would sign a new contract should one be offered, Pedersen told Nordlys: "Of course. I am enjoying myself and Blackburn is a nice club.
"There has never been any trouble and they have always been supportive. But I haven't received a new offer, yet.
"I would like to continue to play under Sam Allardyce. He is a very good manager."
And Pedersen insists that his motivation to put pen-to-paper is based upon a desire to play football, not a possible pay rise.
Referring to contract negotiations during Ince's tenure, Pedersen added: "I said no. The contract talks were stopped.
"I ended up in the stands for four or five matches after having played regularly for several years.
"The situation was not ideal for me. The offer was good financially, but money is not everything, I want to play." (PA)

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Harry Redknapp is ready to make a summer move for Aston Villa striker John Carew. (The People)

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Hangeland: Fulham fans must recognise how far we've come
Brede Hangeland hopes Fulham fans recognise the progress they've made over the last year.
The Norway defender told fulhamfc.com: “I think it’s amazing how much we’ve developed over the last 12 to 14 months and all credit to the Manager and his team for moving us in the right direction over the last year.
"We do as we’re told and work as hard as we can as a group of players. I think they’ve done a brilliant job."

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Nordtveit agent expects Arsenal return
The agent of Arsenal defender Havard Nordtveit has confirmed he intends to return to London at the end of his loan with Lillestrom.
Jim Solbakken told Sport.co.uk: “It is a very good challenge for him in Norway at the moment. He is playing regularly which puts him under pressure, and is a good experience for him.
"He has a great coach in Henning Berg who knows what it takes to play in the Premier League, so it is a good time for Havard. A very good learning curve for him.
When asked if Nordtveit will be back at Arsenal come the end of the season Solbakken confirmed, “That is the plan, to return to Arsenal in the summer.”

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Brede Hangeland has rejected a new deal at Fulham â€" leaving the door open for Arsenal. (The Ã...eople)

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Manchester City have been alerted by the news that Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland has admitted he would consider leaving. (Daily Star)

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Galatasaray encouraged to bid for Villa striker Carew
Galatarasay will be encouraged to bid for Aston Villa striker John Carew at the end of the season.
The News of the World says Carew could leave Villa as part of a clearout should they fail to finish in the top four.
Norwegian striker Carew has impressed alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor, when he has played, but his record of injuries has seen him miss large chunks of the campaign. Villa now have Emile Heskey to play in his position, and the former Lyon star is interesting Galatasaray.

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O'Neill adamant Carew has Aston Villa future
Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa centre-forward John Carew is not for sale.
Villa manager O’Neill said: “Do I think he’s got a future here? Yes. Do I think he’s happy here? Yes.
“The crowd like him a lot and he’s responding to that. He’s F***er now than he has been for quite some time and I’m delighted with him.”
He added: “On the type of form he showed at Manchester United John can be anything he wants to be.
“Whether Villa is a spiritual home, I’m not asking. But if you want to be known as a really feared centre-forward you have to be consistently excellent."
Carew was fined before Christmas after he was spotted in a club on the morning of a UEFA Cup game.


Villa boss O'Neill demands more consistency from Carew
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has challenged twelve-goal striker John Carew to add more consistency to his game.
O'Neill said: "It is great that John is fully fit. The back problem has cleared up. He is F***er now than he has been for quite some time and we are delighted with him.
"Has he got a future here? Yes. Is he happy here? Yes. The crowd like him a lot, he is responding to that which is great.
"When showing that type of form, John can be anything he wants to be. But, if you want to be known as a really feared centre-forward, you have got to be consistently excellent.
"John has moved from club to club and you will have to ask other people why that has been the case. While he has been here, while he has played, he has done exceptionally well.
"He can play. He is a talented player, not just a big lump of a lad. He can get the ball down and play, turn and twist people."
O'Neill added: "If John can add that high level of consistency, where you are doing the business for 80 per cent of the time, then he can play for the next five years without a problem.
"I think John feels that if he is fully ready to go, that he is an asset to your team.
"I think he accepts what I say. I think he has accepted that challenge and wants to do something about it.
"I am very pleased with him. He has come roaring back, got some goals for us, and he has been a big asset since he arrived at the club.
"He is a young man and everything is really up to him. He has had a frustrating time this season because of his back problems but when he is fine and fit, he is an absolute handful."
But O’Neill insisted: “Players are allowed to go out and enjoy themselves. But wandering up and down the street at two in the morning on a day when you may be playing is not allowed â€" and of course John would be pretty conspicuous.”

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson says highly-rated Norwegian central defender Brede Hangeland may stay at Craven Cottage. (Various)



Hodgson hoping new deal will keep Hangeland at Fulham



Roy Hodgson says central defender Brede Hangeland may stay at Craven Cottage.
‘We’re preparing a contract suggestion that he’s more than happy to see,’ said the Fulham manager.




BOSS EXPECTS NEW HANGELAND DEAL
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/04/16/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html

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Aston Villa striker John Carew is a target for Panethinaikos. (NOTW)

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CAREW COULD KEEP VILLA SPOT
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has hinted John Carew will remain at the club for next season - after suggesting all three of his main strikers could play in the same team.
There has been speculation linking 13-goal striker Carew with a move away from Villa in the summer.
He upset O'Neill earlier in the campaign when he was spotted at a Birmingham club in the early hours ahead of a UEFA Cup clash with Ajax and was disciplined.
But Carew has been in sparkling form since his return from a back injury and O'Neill can see the Norway international, Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor forming a potent partnership.
O'Neill said: "We've got Gabby, we've got Emile and we've got John. We look, if they stay fit, as if we have a potent threat - not only for the back end of this season, but next season and going forward.
"All three, if they can stay fit for next season, will definitely pose problems in whichever order we play - including all three of them at the same time.
"Emile did great against West Ham last weekend although he got very tired after missing the previous couple of weeks through injury.
"John is very, very strong at the moment and with Gabby coming back from injury, these three can only add to their goal tally. I am delighted with our play going forward in general."

PA

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Fulham defenders Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes could leave the club in the summer after rejecting improved contract offers. (Sun)


Fulham deal is Hang tough
FULHAM centre-backs Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes have rejected improved contract offers.
Norwegian tough guy Hangeland described the new deal, supposed to reward his success since signing from FC Copenhagen for £2.5million 16 months ago, as ‘derisory’.
He has caught the eye of Arsenal and Liverpool and a £5m summer move could follow.
But Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, whose side entertain Stoke today, said: “He’s our player and we’ll fight tooth and nail to keep him.”
Hangeland, 27, has two years left on his existing agreement, while 29-year-old Hughes has one year to run.  (Sun)


Fulham have offered star central defender Brede Hangeland a new deal to ward off a summer swoop. (Daily Star)

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PA Sport:
FULHAM FIGHT TO KEEP HANGELAND

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/04/24/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html

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HODGSON KEEN TO KEEP NEVLAND
Roy Hodgson is keen to hear if goal hero Erik Nevland wants to stay at Craven Cottage.
Substitute Nevland fired the winner as Fulham beat Stoke to move into seventh place in the Barclays Premier League.
The Norwegian striker, 31, who was pitched into action as a 20th-minute replacement for Bobby Zamora, collected a return pass from Andrew Johnson and fired home from eight yards.
The former Manchester United striker has played a minor part in Fulham's successful season as Hodgson put his faith in Johnson and Zamora.
Fulham will qualify for next season's Europa League if they can finish in seventh spot but Nevland may opt to move back to former club Viking.
Hodgson revealed the Norwegian side are desperate to sign him again but he would like him to stay.
"He was a player I got to know at Viking," said Hodgson. "He has been a Man Utd youth player. I think he spent some years there but never broke into the first team.
"He had been at Viking for a few years by the time I got back there, in fact he was in the last year of his contract.
"The club was very close to relegation when I got there, we were in the bottom two.
"He did a fantastic job but we could not hang onto him, but I always remembered the job he did for us in those six months.
"So when I came to Fulham and was desperate to get out of the situation we were in, I always remembered Erik and what had he had done and we were lucky to sign him from Groningen.
"But Andrew Johnson's arrival has pushed him back because they are similar players.
"Erik is not that tall and height and strength in this league is becoming reasonably important.
"If you don't have your fair share of six-footers in the team you suffer from set-plays. I was pleased with him today, he made the chance and took it himself. He has been an outstanding professional since he's been here.
"Viking are desperate to get him back and I'd like to keep him of course.
"That is something we will have to discuss in the coming weeks. I would be interested to hear how he sees things because he has done such a good job for us and I certainly would not want to force a decision on him that he was not happy with.
"But if he was happy to stay with us we'd be very happy to keep him."
While Hodgson ponders Nevland's future, the prospect of European football is also beginning to vex the Fulham boss. (....)

PA

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is already planning for life without Brede Hangeland after travelling to Norway to spy on two defenders. (Daily Mirror)

[Bites Yer Legs]

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is already planning for life without Brede Hangeland after travelling to Norway to spy on two defenders. (Daily Mirror)

Demidov og Nordtveit visstnok. Tror ikke han fant det han letet etter..

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* Aston Villa striker John Carew has disappointed Tottenham by insisting he wants to stay in Birmingham. (Daily Star)
* John Carew will turn down Spurs in the summer to stay with Aston Villa.

Brede Hangeland is ready to commit himself to a new deal at Fulham. (Star)

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Brede Hangeland is ready to commit himself to a new deal at Fulham. (Star)

HANGELAND HAPPY AT FULHAM
Brede Hangeland has rejected claims he has turned down a new deal at Fulham and insists he is happy at the club.
The giant defender has been integral to Fulham's fortunes this season and has been linked to moves away from Craven Cottage.
"Ive never made any comments about the negotiations - and I never will," Hangeland told Fulham's official website
"So if you read something about me having said something - it's not true."
The Norway captain has reiterated he is happy at Craven Cottage as the Cottagers look to push on for a European place.
"Ive said all along I'm happy at Fulham - and I believe we can reach an agreement.
"They've said they're happy with what I've done - and I'm happy with the club.
"There's no reason to think otherwise that I'll be leaving."
Fulham face Chelsea this weekend at Stamford Bride, with Hangeland confident his side can upset their more glamorous London counterparts.
"Normally, you would say you're in for a particularly difficult game when you go to Chelsea.
"But considering our recent form I think we can go there and get something.
Hangeland is not getting too carried away with the Cottagers seventh place position at the moment and insists the team are taking the end of the season one game at a time.
"We still have a lot to play for. Although at the beginning of the season we were hoping to avoid having to play for anything at this time of year, because it might have been another relegation battle.
"But now we have a great chance of Europe. How many points do we need to get there? Who Knows?
"One of the reason's we've got this high is not looking very far forward."

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Defender rejects Arsenal talk
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2405220.ece

John happy with Villa crew
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2404752.ece

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Erik Huseklepp watched by Newcastle
Norwegian winger Erik Huseklepp is being watched by Newcastle United.
The Evening Chronicle says the 24-year-old, who currently stars for SK Brann, has been continually scouted by United despite the managerial changeover at St James’s Park.
Newcastle were linked with Huseklepp during the transfer window in January but a bid never got off the ground as Joe Kinnear and Dennis Wise had differences in opinion over transfer targets.
A source in Brann said today: “The transfer would not be dependent on Newcastle remaining in the Premier Division.”

[Rudi G.]

Huseklepp trenger minst å fullføre denne sesongen i norsk fotball, men hvis han nå skal dra og Newcastle er atraktivt for han som ccc klubb, må Leeds melde seg på dette løpet. Leeds må være minst like atraktivt å spille for som Newcastle. Hvis Huseklepp utvikler seg videre vil han kunne bli en meget nyttig tilvekst for Leeds når vi skal opp i PL! Det er nå min mening!

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Hitman Morten Gamst Pederson aims to wreck the European hopes of old boss Mark Hughes today - but insists City should stick by their manager long-term. (The Sun)

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Villa will make a £10m bid for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland. (News of the World)

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Villa will make a £10m bid for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland. (News of the World)

VILLA EYE BREDE HANGELAND
Replacement needed with defender Martin Laursen quitting



MARTIN O'NEILL is ready to pay £10million for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland this summer.
The Norwegian, 27, tops Villa boss O'Neill's wish-list but he must beat competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton.
Villa defender Martin Laursen has admitted defeat in his battle to beat a serious knee injury and is set to retire in the summer, leaving O'Neill with a big void to fill.
The Villa Park chief is set for talks with owner Randy Lerner to determine the size of his transfer war-chest for next season.
O'Neill said: "I've been checking out players all over the place.
"We're looking at players to try and improve the team. That is the important thing. There is a lot of competition out there though." (NOTW)

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Villa will make a £10m bid for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland. (News of the World)

Aston Villa are ready to make a £10million bid for Brede Hangeland. (Sunday Star)

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FERDY IN IF BREDE SIGNS FOR GUNS
ANTON Ferdinand will be a summer target for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson â€" if the Craven Cottage chief loses Brede Hangeland to Arsenal
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/80057/Ferdy-in-if-Brede-signs-for-Guns/

[fjellhaugen]

http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/engelsk/artikkel.php?artid=543031


som ventet ble stubhaug funnet for lett for everton..
håper han kan utvikle seg videre i en annen klubb og bli god nok for en tippeliga klubb etter hvert

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BREDE HANGELAND says Fulham fans have been stopping him in the street and begging him to stay with the club.
The centre-back has been linked with a move to either Arsenal or Tottenham.
But the Norway star, 27, said: “People have said ‘don’t go’ and I’ve told them I’m happy here.
“It’s been a great season.” (The Sun)

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HANGELAND HAPPY AT COTTAGE
Brede Hangeland has again moved to reassure Fulham supporters that he has no plans to turn his back on the Craven Cottage club.
The 27-year-old Norway international has been an integral part of the Cottagers' success this season with his impressive displays at centre-back.
Roy Hodgson's men have gone from relegation battlers last term to the brink of Europe this season and they are currently in pole position to clinch seventh place in the table, which would see them qualify for the Europa League.
Hangeland's rock-solid form has seen him linked with a number of Premier League rivals, with Arsenal tipped to be his next destination.
Fulham are keen to secure the former FC Copenhagen man on an extended deal, and have made their intentions known with a four-year contract on the table.
The defender is eager to focus on the club's remaining Premier League games before considering the club's offer, and has revealed how supporters have been pleading with him to pledge his future to the London side.
Hangeland said: "People have said 'don't go' and I've told them I'm happy here." (PA)