Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Given transfer edges closer

30 Jan 2009 - 14:53:47

Click To Enlarge

Shay Given is close to finalising his transfer from Newcastle United to Manchester City after the Magpies gave the goalkeeper permission to talk to Mark Hughes' side.

A fee has still to be agreed for the Republic of Ireland international, but it now seems certain that he will be plying his trade at Eastlands for the rest of this season.

Earlier in the week Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear slammed City's derisory offer of £5million for a player he rates highly. He had said: "We've had approaches for Shay - serious approaches from Man City.

"Irrespective of all the stories, they've offered £5million and not a penny more. We think it's an insult to offer that for the best keeper in the Premier League.

"It's a derisory offer. But Shay has made it clear he wants to leave.

"I wasn't involved too much with the meeting between the owner (Mike Ashley), Shay and his agent when they tried to thrash it out.

"But as far as I know, the owner and the managing director (Derek Llambias) were unhappy they've only been offered £5million.

"That's where we stand. I don't want to lose him - I'm fighting a relegation battle."

Meanwhile, Kinnear has confirmed that club captain Michael Owen will be sidelined until March after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle.

The veteran former Wimbledon and Luton Town boss said of the England international's latest injury: "We will be without Michael now for between four and six weeks. It's a big blow and the injuries are mounting up.

"Joey Barton is also missing for about ten weeks but we have to soldier on and put out the best team we can."