Brady's move to Arsenal wrecked.

Byline: By Steve Dyson and Nick McCarthy

A pounds 1 MILLION move by Birmingham City boss Karren Brady to become the managing director of Arsenal may have been wrecked by a police probe into football corruption.

Brady, a lifelong Arsenal fan, "would have loved" the top job at the north London club, according to a close friend, but has now pledged to stay with Blues until her name is cleared in the bungs probe.

According to reports today, 39-year-old Brady was shortlisted by the Gunners following the departure of managing director Keith Edelman.

The mother of two has declined to comment, but her friend said: "Karren loves Arsenal and would have loved the job, but she doesn't feel it's appropriate now that she is involved in this police investigation.

"She is furious at police for what their actions have cost her personally and the stress she has been caused.

"She is determined to clear her name and won't leave Blues until she is completely exonerated."

Brady and Blues co-owner David Sullivan have been questioned by City of London police and released on bail while the investigation continues, and both strenuously deny any wrongdoing.

The friend added: "Karren is on pounds 300,000 at Blues and a managing director at Arsenal would earn in excess of pounds 1 million. It would be a tremendous job.

"Karren is a proven, successful managing director in football, and has turned Birmingham City in to a financially sound club."

In 1993 Islington-born Brady, then 23, became the youngest managing director in the top flight of English football when Sullivan handed her the job at St Andrew's.