Mark Hughes Close To Signing New Contract

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http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/05/15/mark-hughes-to-agree-new-deal-at-fulham-102039-23130666/


Mark Hughes to agree new deal at Fulham


May 15 2011



by Dean Jones, The People





MARK HUGHES will prove his loyalty to Fulham by agreeing a new deal.

The manager has a break clause in his current contract at Craven Cottage but does not intend to take advantage of it as he has been in discussions with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh over how he plans to lead the club forward.

Hughes has spoken publicly about his intentions to remain at the club, and now he has also made it clear to the board he wants to carry on in west London.

His pledge is a huge relief to Mackintosh, as Aston Villa are eyeing Hughes as one of the candidates to replace Gerard Houllier this summer.

Further talks will now go ahead at the end of the season to tie up his future.

Sparky has been in detailed discussions with Mackintosh over his transfer kitty – with five signings his summer target.

Eidur Gudjohnsen will be the first as his deal is made permanent, while a central defender is also high on the priority list.

The club are also putting together a package to try to land one of Hughes' top targets Dani Osvaldo too.

Hughes has made trips to Spain to check out the Espanyol striker, who would cost around £10million. The decision to pursue the interest in one of La Liga's top forwards proves the club's confidence in Hughes as he prepares for next term.

Hughes is waiting on the outcome of the Fair Play results before making concrete plans with his team.

Hughes said: "We've got plenty of plans for the summer but we can't commit to any of them at the moment, due to waiting to see if we qualify for the Europa League."

Meanwhile Lee Bowyer (below) has appealed to the Birmingham board to back boss Alex McLeish in the summer.

The midfielder reckons his manager has been working miracles with the smallest squad in the Premier League.

City can virtually seal their top-flight safety today with a win against Fulham.

Bowyer said: "The manager has done an exceptional job, winning the Carling Cup and hopefully keeping Birmingham in the Premier League.

"Our squad must be one of the smallest. What happens depends on whether the manager has got the money to build something."