Friedel asks to leave Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel has told the club he wants to leave Ewood Park.

Friedel's future has been the subject of conjecture in recent weeks with the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City strongly linked with the American.

Rovers chairman John Williams has confirmed the former Liverpool goalkeeper has asked to quit Ewood Park and that they have rejected two bids for Friedel.

"We've had two bids for Brad, despite my insistence to the clubs concerned we didn't want them. They've been rejected," Williams told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"When Brad told us he wanted to leave, it was a bolt out of the blue - he had only signed his latest contract back in February, and a replacement keeper has not even been on our radar.

"It's an unwelcome situation for us, and particularly for Paul, who has been concentrating on other targets, as well as assessing our squad and bedding in his new backroom staff.

"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.

"We know we have good players and are constantly rejecting unwanted overtures, but it's particularly difficult to accept players leaving for clubs in and around us in the league.

"We have told Brad that, in any event, we cannot even consider a move for him, unless we can satisfy both our football and commercial requirements.

"Looking at the market for proven keepers, we haven't got a bid that anywhere near meets the commercial part of the equation.

"I know some observers will feel that we should take Brad's age and service into account, but it's not that simple.

"We have not earmarked any funds for the goalkeeping department. Why would we?

"And on the football side, Brad Friedels don't grow on trees.

"If he doesn't get his move, although disappointed, Brad is the ultimate professional and I am confident he will remain focused on Rovers.

"But there's no point in denying that this is a tricky situation."