Blackburn chairman John Williams has confirmed other clubs are interested in signing Brad Friedel - but Paul Ince wants to keep him at Ewood.The veteran goalkeeper has been linked with moves to Aston Villa and Manchester City during the transfer window.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is looking for an established number one for the new season and is rumoured to be willing to pay £2.5million.

Former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has also been tipped to launch a bid to take the American to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Friedel has two years left on his Ewood Park contract and Williams admits new boss Ince wants to keep the 37-year-old.

Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph: "There is some interest, but Paul Ince's wish is to start the season with Brad Friedel."

The keeper played with Ince at Liverpool and recently backed the former Milton Keynes Dons manager's appointment at Rovers.

Friedel has spent almost eight years at Ewood Park, but reports have claimed that bids for the keeper are imminent.

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