Aston Villa have been granted permission to begin talks with Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel.

Villa have already seen a £2million offer accepted by their Premier League rivals and were waiting to be given the green light to discuss personal terms.

With Rovers closing in on England international Paul Robinson, Martin O’Neill confirmed that discussions with the veteran American shot-stopper will now be held as soon as possible.

“We’ve been given permission to speak to the player and that’s something that we want to do,” the Ulsterman told the club’s official website.

“But there are still a lot of things to happen.

“We’re in the process of strengthening the squad and this is all part of our efforts to add strength in depth.”

Ref From skysports.com

After five years in Serie A, Valon Behrami has decided to try his luck in the Premier League and has completed a move from Lazio to West Ham.

The Swiss international became a fixture in the Biancocelesti side, but relations between the former Verona man and the capital club turned sour.

Behrami demanded that Lazio let him go this summer and even threatened to use FIFA’s Article 17 to free himself from the Aquile.

After links with the Bundesliga faded, West Ham stepped in and have agreed a deal that sees Lazio receive £5m.

The 23-year-old been handed a five-year contract in East London and seemed happy with the fresh start.

“I am delighted to play for West Ham and to play in the Premier League,” he said. “It is a dream come true.

“After the European Championship I spoke to the directors and they told me that they were interested in me.

“It was important to talk to everyone and understand the plans for the future and that made me quickly decide to join West Ham.”

Ref From channel4.com

Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has backed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to construct a strong team this season, even if some faces will be unfamiliar.

Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva have left, while only Premier League newcomers Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been signed.

But Henry remains confident Wenger will be able to get a new-look side to gel.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Arsene always does it somehow. And hopefully they will win silverware next season.”

The Gunners will have to do it with considerably less experience in their squad.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto, 31, left for Panathinaikos, Hleb, 27, joined Barcelona and Flamini, 24, sealed a switch to AC Milan.

And so far this season, Wenger has only brought in 21-year-old winger Nasri from Marseille and Ramsey, 17, who played in the Championship last season with Cardiff.

But Henry pointed to Wenger’s knack of unearthing little-known players and making them stars - the French striker was himself transformed under his compatriot after a torrid time in Italy with Juventus.

Henry added: “I don’t know how Arsene does it when he brings in some players who make people think ‘I don’t know if they are going to be ok’.

“People wonder if Arsenal are going to do anything.

“But suddenly, like last year, everyone starts raving about how Arsenal are playing and what a great team they are.

“Unfortunately for them they were really close but did not win anything last season.

“Hopefully this time they can bring some silverware back to the Emirates.”

Wenger has stated that he will definitely make one more signing in the close season.

And it could be that he will need to buy a striker to replace Emmanuel Adebayor, who still refuses to commit his future to the club amid speculation he will join AC Milan or Barcelona.

Ref From BBC