Arsenal Lodge Bid For Fulham Defender Brede Hangeland.

Arsenal have made an £8 million approach for Fulham's Brede Hangeland.The centre-back has been in sensational form throughout the 2008-09 season, helping the Cottagers qualify for next year's Europa League with their best ever top flight finish of seventh.

With the Norway international in the heart of defence, the west London outfit conceded only 34 Premier League goals, a record only bettered by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Gunners have been linked with the 27-year-old for some time now, and it appears that manager Arsene Wenger is ready to take him to the Emirates Stadium.

However, while Fulham boss Roy Hodgson recently admitted it may be difficult to keep hold of the 6ft 5in stalwart, it is thought a new deal will be offered to him in the hope of keeping him at Craven Cottage.

Should the former Viking and Copenhagen star reject Fulham's approaches, it is claimed that they will ask Arsenal for a fee in excess of £8m to land the defender.

Arsenal do have a contingency plan should they fail to sign Hangeland, with Ajax's Thomas Vermaelen reported to be a target.