Exclusive: Dons want to secure midfielder – linked with Hull and Bolton – on new contract
AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has signalled his intent to tie down midfielder Anthony Hartigan to a new contract and hopes the club will act “quickly” on the matter.
The 21-year-old has become a key player under Robinson, winning his place back in the starting line-up after spending the second half of last season on loan with Newport County in League Two.
Reports surfaced over the past week linking Hartigan, whose deal expires at the end of this season, to Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.
Asked by the South London Press if the club will be sitting down soon with Hartigan to begin talks about extending his contract at Plough Lane, Robinson said: “One hundred per cent. If you look at his stats, Anthony has possibly been the most effective midfielder in League One, and he needs to be a massive part of what we’re going to build.”
The academy graduate, who has played more than 100 games for the Dons, has been a significant part of their bright start to the season, with his threat from taking set-pieces seeing him record two goals and five assists so far in all competitions.
Robinson said: “I don’t deal with that side of things, but I would like to think the club will act quickly on it. He has already shown how important he is, and if we’re going to progress as a football club, we need to tie these kind of players down.”
Speaking on when he believes the process of opening talks with Hartigan would start, Robinson said: “I’d like to believe it will begin very soon.”
Left-back Nesta Guinness-Walker’s contract also runs out next summer.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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