Coventry City set for Aron Einar Gunnarsson signing
Jun 13 2008 by Andy Turner
COVENTRY CITY hope to secure the services of highly-rated Iceland international Aron Einar Gunnarsson today as manager Chris Coleman's new-look midfield begins to take shape minus Stephen Hughes.
The Sky Blues skipper was told yesterday that his contract would not be renewed after it expires at the end of the month as Coleman seeks fresh blood.
Gunnarsson, a tough tackling central midfielder, was due at the Ricoh Arena to discuss personal terms and have a routine medical after the Sky Blues had an undisclosed bid for the 19-year-old accepted by his club, Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar, earlier this week.
City would then need to secure the player's international clearance before he puts pen to paper.
Premiership Middlesbrough and newly-promoted Hull City are also interested in his services but Coventry hope to attract him with their ambition and the guarantee of more first team action.
The move to dispense with Hughes came as something of a surprise.
The 31-year-old has been at the club for four years after being signed on a free by Peter Reid.
Although Coleman had indicated he wanted to keep the former Player of the Year, he has already signed up Frenchman Guillaume Beuzelin from Hibernian and has more midfield targets on his radar, clearly looking to freshen things up.
Hughes was one of four out of contract players the manager wanted to retain towards the end of last season but negotiations dragged on into the summer and he has now turned his attentions elsewhere.
Coleman said: “There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. We have got other targets and I imagine there will be interest in Stephen from other clubs as well.”
Chairman Ray Ranson confirmed: “Stephen has been a very good servant to the club and, certainly during my time, a good influence in the dressing room and good to have around.
“We wish him all the very best for the future and he is welcome back at the Ricoh any time.”
