Premiership interest in Georgian 'keeper

Georgian international 'keeper Giorgi Lomaia has been the source of much interest by at least three Premiership teams, according…

Georgian international 'keeper Giorgi Lomaia has been the source of much interest by at least three Premiership teams, according to the BBC.

Arsenal expressed interest in the Locomotive Tbilisi shot stopper, presumably to replace the aging David Seaman, but the Gunners' face competition from Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Gocha Tamazashvilli, the Locomotive Tbilisi assistant coach, confirmed scouts representing Kevin Keegan and Graham Taylor have contacted the Tbilisi outfit.

It is believed those scouts will watch Lomaia play in the crucial games of the Georgian domestic championship over the next week.

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"We will arrange their stay in Georgia. It looked like they were very interested in him," said Tamazashvilli.

"Next week the situation will become much clearer."

"I know that Arsene Wenger will personally watch Lomaia on June 11th, when Georgia plays Ireland in Dublin in a Euro 2004 qualifier."

Wenger is also reported to have stepped up his interest in Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel, although he will face a fight for the US international from fierce rivals Manchester United.

The 22-year-old Lomaia started his career with small-time Georgian club FC Kodako in 1995 before moving to Dinamo Tbilisi.