• Hughes makes deal priority after signing two-year contract
• Bellamy previously signed by Hughes at Blackburn and City
Mark Hughes will attempt to scupper Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Craig Bellamy after he was confirmed as Fulham’s new manger. Hughes has signed a two-year deal as Roy Hodgson’s successor at Craven Cottage and he will make Bellamy, the Manchester City striker, one of his top transfer targets.
Ray Lewington, who has been in caretaker charge since Hodgson’s departure, has been retained on the coaching staff.
Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, has a long-standing interest in Bellamy, having tried to sign him in January of last year from West Ham United only for the player to move to Eastlands for £14m. Redknapp is aware the City manager Roberto Mancini has to slim down his squad to 25 senior players to comply with this season’s regulations and he hopes to exploit the situation with a bid for Bellamy. Redknapp also wants the City defender Micah Richards.
But Hughes has a close relationship with Bellamy, having worked with him during his first managerial job in charge of Wales; taken him to Blackburn Rovers from Newcastle United in the summer of 2005 for £5m and then signed him for City. Although Bellamy’s weekly wage might represent a stumbling block, Hughes would like to buy him for the third time. Bellamy, 31, has played for eight clubs during his career and has had £45m spent on him in transfer fees. Hughes is also interested in another two of his former City players, the midfielder Stephen Ireland and the striker Roque Santa Cruz.
Hughes acknowledged the success Hodgson enjoyed at Fulham – most notably taking them to the Europa League final last season – but has already set out his own blueprint for taking them forward.
Hughes said on the club’s website: “I have discussed my aspirations with the chairman [Mohamed Al Fayed] and [the chief executive] Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here. I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club’s history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition.
“I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward. I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season’s campaign.”
Redknapp himself would not be drawn on the Bellamy deal last night. “I like Craig Bellamy but I don’t know if they [City] would sell him,” said Redknapp after Spurs’ 4-1 friendly defeat by Villarreal. “The chairman deals with all the transfers. He asks me what I want and I tell him. I don’t know where he’s at with Bellamy, if anywhere.”
Mark HughesFulhamTottenham HotspurTransfer windowDavid Hadertguardian.co.uk
