What next for Shay Given?

Posted by David Fox on August 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart has three years left on his contract but is currently one of the lowest-paid members of the squad on a reported £28,000 a week.

Now, the club are set to offer him a new five year contract worth £70,000 a week, a massive £42,000 a week pay rise. The club also want to put Hart further off-limits by placing a £20 million price-tag on his head.

But, where to next for the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given?

Given, 34, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, Celtic and Fulham over the previous weeks and now it seems AS Roma have entered the race to sign City’s out-of-favour goalie. One Italian paper reported that City were looking to recoup £2-3 million for the former Newcastle man.

Given had previously warned that he would leave if he was dropped as City’s number one and now that has happened, it seems Given is sticking to his promise.

It seems City now want to sign Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as backup to Hart. Chelsea recently had a £4 million rejected by Stoke for Begovic but City are understood to be monitoring the situation as they prepare for life without Given. Begovic is particularly attractive to top clubs because his time at Portsmouth’s academy means he qualifies as a home-grown player under new Premier League rules.

So where do you think Given will go next?

Personally, I believe Mark Schwarzer will go to Arsenal and Given will re-join his old manager Mark Hughes at Fulham. But that’s just what I think, we want to hear where you think he will go and whether or not you reckon Hart is deservedly City’s first choice keeper?

Feel free to leave your comments below.

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