Chris Coleman will not buy a replacement for Edwin van der Sar if he leaves Fulham. The manager has told No2 goalkeeper Mark Crossley he will be promoted if the Dutchman moves on in the summer.
Despite Van der Sar being one of Fulham’s best performers this season, that prospect seems increasingly likely as they prepare to play at Leicester on Saturday.
The club were ready to sell him last summer when they had two highly rated goalkeepers before Maik Taylor was allowed to move to Birmingham.
Van der Sar is approaching the last year of his contract and already has been linked with a move to PSV Eindhoven.
The 33-year-old joined Fulham from Juventus in 2001 for £7m and his departure would have a big impact on their wage bill as the Holland international is one of their highest-paid players on around £40,000-a-week.
His transfer could free up some money for new signings, but one of them would not be a first-choice goalkeeper.
Crossley, 34, said: “Chris has told me that if Edwin leaves Fulham I will be the No1.”