Fulham are close to securing Brede Hangeland to a new contract.

The Sun says star defender Hangeland is set to agree a fresh 3½-year contract which is worth £2m per year.

Fulham's £10m-rated Norwegian ace has been attracting firm interest from Arsenal and is only cup-tied in European competition until January.

The club have moved quickly to tie up the 6ft 5in centre-half until 2013.

He will net around £40,000 a week, putting him in the same pay league as top earners like skipper Danny Murphy.