Friedel bound for Manchester City?

Since swapping Rovers for City back in June, Hughes has been linked with a number of his former players, including DavidBentley and striker Roque Santa Cruz. Now reports in the press suggest that Hughes is also interested in enticing Friedel to Eastlands.

Friedel signed for Blackburn from Liverpool in 2000 and has gone on to become one of Rovers' key players. He is the longest-serving player at Ewood Park and recently signed a contract extension that could keep him in Lancashire until 2010.

However, a report in the Manchester Evening News suggests that Hughes is willing to offer his former club $3 million to secure the services of the American goalkeeper.

The news will surely come as a blow to Joe Hart, the current goalkeeper at City. Having established himself in the first team last season, he also managed to win his first cap for England and is competing with David James for the goalkeeper's jersey under Fabio Capello.

While the paper reports that Hughes sees Friedel as an excellent mentor for Hart, it could also increase speculation that the young keeper will head away from City, with Spurs one possible destination.

Should Friedel follow Hughes to Manchester, it could open the door for Rovers' Welsh reserve keeper, Jason Brown, to establish himself in the first team.

Brown's only appearances in the first team to date came against Wigan Athletic in 2006 when he replaced an injured Friedel and saved a penalty. Blackburn went on to win the game 2-1.

Friedel was the starting U.S. keeper at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. He retired from international play in '05 with 82 caps to his name.