Hangeland has the strength to help QPR avoid relegation trapdoor

A new central defender is one of Harry Redknapp’s chief priorities in the January transfer window and number one on his wishlist seems to be Brede Hangeland of Fulham.

Hangeland has been a colossus since joining Fulham from FC Copenhagen, but his form has noticeably dipped in the current campaign, potentially because of unrest over his future.

His contract is up at Craven Cottage at the end of the season and despite talks having been ongoing since the end of the last campaign, little progress has been made to date regarding an extension.

Never one to miss out on a bargain, Redknapp is aware of developments and looks set to test Fulham’s resolve with an offer of around £3m for the 31-year-old.

Back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and West Brom have resulted in QPR slipping back to the foot of the Premier League table and they are now 4/9 to be relegated.

Redknapp certainly requires some additional options at centre back, with veterans Ryan Nelsen and Clint Hill being regularly called upon because of a lack of squad depth.

Nelsen, in particular, was only expected to play sporadically because of injury problems and Hangeland’s extra pace and physical attributes will be a big asset.

The importance of Hangeland at Fulham is highlighted by the fact that they have only taken one point from the three games in which he has been absent this season.

Alternatively, Redknapp may decide to raid former club Tottenham for Michael Dawson, who has found first-team opportunities limited under Andre Villas-Boas.

Dawson captained Spurs regularly under Redknapp and has already been on the QPR radar once this season when he was coveted by Mark Hughes in the summer.

An offer of around £6m may be enough to sign Dawson.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.