Aston Villa are closing in on Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given.
The Daily Mail says Villa are hopeful Given will become Alex McLeish's first signing next week in a £3.5 million move from Manchester City.
Villa are poised to replace one veteran in Brad Friedel with another in 35-year-old Given who wants the chance to play first-team football again.
The two clubs have held talks and sources close to Villa are optimistic a deal will be finalised sooner rather than later.
Given was the No 1 at Newcastle for more than a decade before moving to Eastlands two and a half years ago.
But the emergence of England keeper Joe Hart - who played under McLeish when on loan at Birmingham - cost him his place last season.
Personal terms are not expected to be a major stumbling block even though Given is reported to be on £80,000 a week at City.
