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Blackburn make bid for Robinson after accepting Friedel bid
10:38am Thursday 24th July 2008
Comments (18)
BLACKBURN Rovers last night launched a bid for Spurs and England keeper Paul Robinson after accepting an offer for Brad Friedel.
Rovers made the move after agreeing a deal, believed to be with Aston Villa, worth an initial £2million fee but that could rise by a further £500,000.
But any deal for the former American international is subject to Rovers boss Paul Ince being able to sign a suitable replacement.
Ince, who is in Portugal preparing his squad for back-to-back friendlies with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in the Guadiana Cup, now faces a race against time to fill the void left by Friedel.
The Lancashire Telegraph believes that Rovers have made a straight-cash bid for Robinson and are awaiting a response.
But Spurs, who have already had a bid turned down for David Bentley, may try to lump Robinson in with a deal for the England midfielder star, and that could muddy the waters.
Whoever comes in, they will have big shoes to fill as Friedel prepares to leave Ewood Park – probably for Villa Park.
A statement from Rovers last night read: “Blackburn Rovers have accepted a bid from a Premier League club for goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
“The transfer is conditional to Rovers having a bid for a goalkeeper at another club accepted.”
Aston Villa are believed to be leading the chase for Friedel’s signature after Martin O’Neill allowed loan keeper Scott Carson to leave and sign for Midlands rivals West Brom.
But new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has also expressed an interest in the man who was his number one choice throughout his four-year tenure at Ewood Park.
But if Friedel has played his last game for Blackburn, he will leave a legacy that few will ever match.
Graeme Souness signed Friedel in 2000 on a free transfer from Liverpool and he quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's top performers.
He was part of the team that lifted the Worthington Cup at Cardiff in 2002 and holds the record for most consecutive Premier League starts with 175.
In the last couple of seasons, Friedel has become on of the league's most consistent performers and in February this year signed a new two-year deal.
In total, Friedel has made a total of 356 appearances for Rovers, scoring one goal - in the 3-2 defeat to Charlton at The Valley in February 2004.
Your Say YourBlackburn Citizen
Jason, Accrington says...
11:14am Thu 24 Jul 08
I cant think of anyone who wouldn't want Robinson, top keeper and Englands number 1 when he has confidence!
The Pieman, Belthorn says...
11:26am Thu 24 Jul 08
If Spurs do want David Bentley I would be more than happy for a straight swap for Paul Robinson, Aaron Lennon & Tom Huddlestone.
The_Big_Mac, Manchester says...
11:32am Thu 24 Jul 08
Romeington, Preston says...
11:56am Thu 24 Jul 08
The_Big_Mac wrote:Two people wanting to leave is classed as an exodus is it these days ? get a grip
The mass exodus begins...
Robinson would be a good move but i think spurs will be fussy about it and try there hardest to get bentley in a swop deal. Either way Robinson is a world class keeper and lets not forget the years he has been englands number 1. And im sure if he starts playing consitently for rovers he will get that spot back. Good business if we get him, age is on his side.
batesempire, darwen says...
2:11pm Thu 24 Jul 08
rovers tel, blackburn says...
2:27pm Thu 24 Jul 08
rovers tel, blackburn says...
2:39pm Thu 24 Jul 08
A Darener wrote:sorry but i dont see it that way
Be prepared for a long hard season.
ok brad is going and bentley wants away so what
we will survive without them
lets give ince a chance
moomintroll, salford says...
3:27pm Thu 24 Jul 08
MJ Rover, Blackburn says...
3:37pm Thu 24 Jul 08
As for a 'mass exodus' - as far as I'm aware, no-one has left yet. Even if Friedel and Bentley leave, one is 37 and maybe has one or two years left, whilst the other is a big-head who is only interested in himself. We can (and will) replace both if we need to.
Let's give Ince a chance to do what's right. He's shown that he won't be panicked into making signings, like with this Castillo, who he had on trial, but won't be buying. I have faith that he'll get it right and help keep us up in the top-half.
Morst the 88th min Heartbreaker, Accrington says...
6:27pm Thu 24 Jul 08
kazz, blackburn says...
6:54pm Thu 24 Jul 08
used-copy
jukes, leicester says...
8:18pm Thu 24 Jul 08
mike rover, essex says...
8:33pm Thu 24 Jul 08
rovers tel wrote:Spot on!
sorry to see brad go but lets face it he had 2 years maximum to give rovers and i think robinson is the better option i have also seen some videos of the chilean rovers are trying to get he looks a class act
Friedel has been great for us, no question, but he did seem to struggle towards the end of last season, particually with his kicking.
Maybe 40 games a season is too much for a 38 year old, which is understandable.
If we can get robinson in for £1m extra, then that is great business by Ince. If a club went for Robinson before his howler against Croatia, we would be looking at £10m bare minnimum.
I think Brad owes it to the fans to explain his decision. For now the guy is just an old greedy B*sterd at the moment, He won't be getting my applause when he returns.
soap opera, coronation st says...
8:59pm Thu 24 Jul 08
mike rover wrote:The mass exodus begins..
rovers tel wrote:sorry to see brad go but lets face it he had 2 years maximum to give rovers and i think robinson is the better option i have also seen some videos of the chilean rovers are trying to get he looks a class actSpot on!Friedel has been great for us, no question, but he did seem to struggle towards the end of last season, particually with his kicking.Maybe 40 games a season is too much for a 38 year old, which is understandable.If we can get robinson in for £1m extra, then that is great business by Ince. If a club went for Robinson before his howler against Croatia, we would be looking at £10m bare minnimum.I think Brad owes it to the fans to explain his decision. For now the guy is just an old greedy B*sterd at the moment, He won't be getting my applause when he returns.
what mass exodus ones going for the money and one because he can no longer get his head through the training room door.
Trev Manchester, Manchester says...
9:07pm Thu 24 Jul 08
"For now the guy is just an old greedy B*sterd at the moment, He won't be getting my applause when he returns."
bit extreme that eh lad? you fickle muppet.
mike rover, essex says...
9:31am Fri 25 Jul 08
He only signed a new contract in February, now he want's out, of a contract HE signed, because someone has offered him more, then the rediculous £25k he is already on every week?
If that makes him a hero to you then fair enough. I won't boo Greed-le when he returns, because he has been a great servant to our club. but on the other hand I won't be jumping up and down like a lovesick teenager screaming his name eaither.
mupster, Blackburn says...
10:34am Fri 25 Jul 08
mike rover wrote:Mike Rover, you're talking absolute B*****!
Sorry, but what part of that is a bit extreme?
He only signed a new contract in February, now he want's out, of a contract HE signed, because someone has offered him more, then the rediculous £25k he is already on every week?
If that makes him a hero to you then fair enough. I won't boo Greed-le when he returns, because he has been a great servant to our club. but on the other hand I won't be jumping up and down like a lovesick teenager screaming his name eaither.
Brad has been our best player for years now and will remain a legend.
Just because he want to go for another challenge with more money, he doesnt become a villain.
The guy is a true legend and he should know it when he returns to Ewood in the season. That way he'll know how much we love him.
And it's all been handled professionally unlike the other little scumbag who keeps talking in the papers!
TARGET: Paul Robinson
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A Darener, Darwen says...
10:53am Thu 24 Jul 08