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Villa cleared for Friedel talks
Friedel joined Blackburn in November 2000 on a free transfer
Aston Villa have been given permission by Blackburn to speak to veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Earlier this week Rovers chairman John Williams said a bid had been accepted but the 37-year-old would not be leaving until a replacement was found.
"We've been given permission to talk to him, which we want to do," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club website.
"We're in the process of strengthening the squad. This is part of our efforts to add strength in depth."
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Friedel, who has also been linked to Manchester City, has been on Rovers's pre-season tour of Germany.
New manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Lancashire he wanted to keep the player, who he described as "one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League".
But if Friedel did leave, eight years after joining from Liverpool, that would mean Rovers only have Jason Brown and two inexperienced youngsters available in goal. To counter this they have been chasing Tottenham's Paul Robinson and are believed to have offered £3.5m for the England player. "We have made good progress with our bid but there are still some details to sort out," Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.
Friedel joined Blackburn in November 2000 on a free transferAston Villa have been given permission by Blackburn to speak to veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Earlier this week Rovers chairman John Williams said a bid had been accepted but the 37-year-old would not be leaving until a replacement was found.
"We've been given permission to talk to him, which we want to do," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club website.
"We're in the process of strengthening the squad. This is part of our efforts to add strength in depth."
606: DEBATE Your views on Brad Friedel
Friedel, who has also been linked to Manchester City, has been on Rovers's pre-season tour of Germany.
New manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Lancashire he wanted to keep the player, who he described as "one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League".
But if Friedel did leave, eight years after joining from Liverpool, that would mean Rovers only have Jason Brown and two inexperienced youngsters available in goal. To counter this they have been chasing Tottenham's Paul Robinson and are believed to have offered £3.5m for the England player. "We have made good progress with our bid but there are still some details to sort out," Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.
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