New deal: City want Given to stay at
Eastlands
Manchester City will try to
soften the blow of Shay Given's relegation to the bench by offering
the goalkeeper a pay rise and the chance to stay at Eastlands until
he turns 39.
Joe Hart's man-of-the match performance in the season opener at
Tottenham has placed Given in the role of back-up keeper, a
situation which has left the 34-year-old considering his
future.
But City will try to entice the former Newcastle keeper to stay
by extending his current deal - it has three years left to run - by
a further two seasons. Given is also set for an increase on his
£80,000- a-week wage packet.
It remains to be seen if he will be tempted by the offer. But
having spoken of his desire for guaranteed first-team football, a
loan move to Fulham could be his preferred option.
The Irishman finds himself at the centre of a goalkeeping
merry-go-round, with Arsenal eager to sign Fulham's Mark
Schwarzer.
On his way: Schwarzer is set to sign for
Arsenal
Given would offer manager Mark Hughes the ideal
replacement for Schwarzer but, as yet, the west London side have
not received an improved offer from Arsenal after rejecting a
£2million bid.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expected to raise that by a
further £500,000 this week although Fulham value Schwarzer at
around £4m.
Wenger could, of course, opt to move for Given. But, as is the
case with Tottenham's interest in Craig Bellamy, City are unwilling
to offload players to their direct rivals for a place in the top
four.
The uncertainty over the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates
is having a negative effect on Manuel Almunia, who played for
Arsenal in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.
Revealing his unrest at the speculation, Almunia said: 'It is so
difficult to concentrate because Arsenal are a big club and
speculation is always in the news and everywhere. 'If somebody
comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal.'