Villa boss linked with Fulop
Marton Fulop is relaxed about transfer speculation linking him with a possible move to Aston Villa in January.
The Sunderland keeper is happy at the Stadium of Light and has no desire to leave.
But at the back of his mind there is the fear of Craig Gordon winning the battle to establish himself as the Black Cats' long-term number one, leaving the Hungarian kicking his heels.
And if that happens, Fulop would have to consider his future, so for that reason, he does not mind being linked with leading clubs.
Villa's keeper Brad Friedel is 39 next year and despite being in superb form, is nearing the end of his career, although impressive fellow American Brad Guzan, 25, is coming through the ranks and was Villa's hero in their Carling Cup penalty shoot-out at Sunderland in October.
Although Fulop is dismissive of the transfer speculation actually amounting to anything, both he and Gordon know that their battle to be Sunderland's first choice keeper could eventually end with the departure of one of them.
He said: "Neither Craig Gordon nor myself is satisfied with being second-choice. We are much more ambitious than that.
"And if you are sitting on the bench a lot, then it is normal to want to move on. I am no exception.
"I've already proven my quality in the Premier League, so it would not be enough for me to be a substitute in the future.
"I don't like commenting on gossip and as far as I am aware there has been no official approach.
"But if it is true, this would not be the first time my name has been linked with Aston Villa and Martin O'Neill.
"Aston Villa have two good goalkeepers at the moment, and I have a contract at Sunderland until 2012, but if Martin O'Neill says he wants me then I will take it very seriously."
Fulop, though, is set for an extended stay in Sunderland's first team with Craig Gordon out, potentially up to February after Jermain Defoe broke the Scottish international's arm in the game at White Hart Lane in early November.
Bruce is threadbare in the goalkeeping department with only Fulop and Northern Ireland Under 21 international Trevor Carson to call on in Gordon's absence.
And although in the long-term the goalkeeping situation is one he will look at, for the moment he is content with the keepers he has.
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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