Brad Friedel’s move to Villa moved a step closer today after the keeper admitted he wants to leave Blackburn.
Rovers chairman John Williams revealed two bids, believed to be from Villa and Manchester City, have already been rejected.
He admits the club are resigned to losing the veteran after he expressed his desire for a move.
He said: “We have had two bids for Brad, despite my insistence the club did not want them. They have been rejected.
“When Brad told us he wanted to leave it was a bolt out of the blue. He only signed his latest contract back in February and a replacement keeper hasn’t even been on our radar.
“It’s an unwelcome situation for us and in particular for Paul ,who has been concentrating on other targets as well as assessing our squad.
“We are very keen for Brad to stay but to deny him the move he clearly wants, after a lengthy stint with the club, is difficult.”
Rovers will expect a minimum of £2.5m for Friedel, who is currently on tour with them in Germany.
O’Neill had hoped to sign the 37-year-old in time for tomorrow’s Intertoto Cup clash with Odense but the chances of a deal being completed in time now appear remote.
The long-awaited showdown between Gareth Barry and Martin O’Neill has also finally took place, as the pair met for the first time since the midfielder gave an unauthorised interview.
Talks were “cordial and positive”, according to the players’ agent Alex Black. It is understood a bid of £16m plus right-back Steve Finnan will be enough to take the England international to Liverpool.
Another player on his way out of Villa Park, albeit briefly, is new goalkepeer Brad Guzan, who is one of the three overage players to have been named in the USA’s squad for next month’s Olympics.
The stopper is still awaiting news on whether he has been granted a work permit, to enable him to complete his move to Villa Park.
8 Comments
i dont get this
1. why villa signing friedel now? for 2.5m
2. why arent they signing carson whos 40m and got 10yrs left easily
3. why blackburn selling if carson supposedly all but signed for the albion
strange deals all round bar wba case which is super signing i must say
Friedel is the perfect fit to groom Guzan and Carson is average at best.
Friedel even at 37 is still one of the best 3 keepers in the premiership. As long as Guzan get’s the work permit he’ll go under Friedel’s wing for the future.As for Carson average keeper who gave his back four no confidence at all.Had a solid start at Villa without really having anything to do,when he got a little busier showed poor positioning,letting goals in quite close to his body and near post,and is absolutely woeful at freekicks.Fulham and West Ham spring to mind.I fear for Albion in the top flight with a keeper,if he signs will be tested severely.
I think because there are quite a few keepers over 36 playing better than their youths, OLD keepers are the way forward… Bosnich anyone?
MON was right not to pay Liverpool £8m for Desperate Dan, cos if he were good enough he would have as Villa had first refusal. The 50% price drop was panic from Benitez just to get rid of him. Friedel, as Mike F rightly says is the right man to groom Guzan for club and country, even at 37 he is good enough and fit enough to keep his high level up for the next 3 years, and could be an inspired signing. He’s from Ohio, too, by the way, just up the road from the Chairman! Good luck to all Baggies for the new season, I hope your team continues to be easy on the eye.
PLEASE NO!- Friedel is awful, dont do it!- we should get Roy Carroll class keeper not some old timer who has never been any good
greatt idea 2 bid 4 Friedel 1 of the best keepers in prem..1 match springs 2 mind when ee playd against man utd quality keeper and hundred tyms betta thn carson will eva be…keep dreamin albion cuz carson will not save u from going to fizzy pop league
good signing. class keeper who can groom that new chap you’ve signed
i can see you guys geeting six points off us next year