Friedel To Replace Schwarzer

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/1073149/VILLA-RISK-LOSING-FRIEDEL.html


VILLA RISK LOSING FRIEDEL


American keeper already has offers



By Dan King


ASTON VILLA risk losing record-breaking goalkeeper Brad Friedel for nothing.

And if the American does not sign a new deal before January he could again become a key figure in Arsenal's search for a new keeper.


Friedel is 39, but has now extended his run of consecutive Premier League appearances to 235 and believes he has at least one more top-flight season left in him.


With his current deal due to run out at the end of the season, Friedel can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January and already has an offer from the US.


And although the former Blackburn and Liverpool man is understood to be happy at Villa, a number of clubs would be keen to take advantage of any uncertainty about his future.


Friedel admitted during the summer that he was interested in a move to Fulham. The London club wanted him as a replacement for Mark Schwarzer if they had been able to agree a deal with Arsenal.


The Gunners were so keen that they offered Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski as replacements for Friedel at Villa.


But the shock departure of Martin O'Neill from Villa Park and Arsenal's failure to meet Fulham's asking price for Schwarzer stopped the merry-go-round.


Arsenal's prime target is Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Schalke star Manuel Neuer is also on their radar. Arsenal put in a late bid to sign German World Cup goalkeeper Neuer but ran out of time to agree a deal before the close of the transfer window.


Schwarzer said last week he would welcome an opportunity to move to a Champions League club in the transfer window.


And Fulham, managed by his former boss at Blackburn, Mark Hughes, would not be the only club interested in signing Friedel.