Friedel could earn $5.2 million salary

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 24, 2008

"Brad Friedels don't grow on trees." Those were Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams' words in announcing his club would not part with its 37-year-old American goalkeeper. Famous last words, they were. Friedel looks to be headed to Aston Villa in a move that could result in his salary being doubled to $5.2 million a year.

Blackburn issued a statement on Wednesday that it had agreed to a deal for Friedel and it was only conditional on its finding a replacement for him.

That replacement should be Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper who lost his starting job at Tottenham to Brazilian Heurelho Gomes.

Blackburn's need to cut a deal with Tottenham could spur it into completing a deal -- estimated to exceed $30 million to send young England winger David Bentley from Rovers to Spurs.

According to the Daily Mail, Villa has offered Friedel a three-year deal at double his current salary: $100,000 a week.

Friedel could be in action as soon as Saturday when Blackburn hosts Danish club Odense in the Intertoto Cup.