Peace hopeful of keeping Kuszczak

Kuszczak might be seen as the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has played down Sir Alex Ferguson's claims that keeper Tomasz Kuszczak is on the verge of joining Manchester United.

The 24-year-old Polish international has long been linked with United, and Ferguson had said: "We are in the process of tying up a deal."

But Peace insisted: "We've had talks but absolutely nothing has been agreed.

"We've said throughout the close season that it's our intention to hold on to key members of the first-team squad."

West Brom appeared to pave the way for Kuszczak to join United by signing Switzerland's World Cup goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler on Friday.

It is up to Pascal Zuberbuhler and Tomasz Kuszczak to challenge for the first-team place here West Brom boss Bryan Robson

And with Ferguson allowing reserve keepers Tim Howard and Ben Foster to join Everton and Watford on loan respectively, it appeared certain that Kuszczak would join as United's number two.

Indeed, Ferguson said: "He has Premier League experience and he'll be number two to Van der Sar."

However, following Peace's declaration that it was the club's policy "not to sell key members of the squad", Baggies manager Bryan Robson also hinted that Kuszczak could stay.

He said: "Pascal is a vastly experienced keeper and it is up to him and Tomasz to challenge for the first-team place here."