Football Update: January transfer - Shay Given has many roads ahead (Part 2)
Contd…..
Fulham are one of the favorites to sign the Irishman, given his association with Mark Hughes. Also, the Cottagers’ keeper, Mark Schwarzer is currently in the final year of his contract and has already informed the club that he desires to move on, next summer.
The new Fulham manager Hughes would surely be looking for a top-class replacement. Shay Given’s move to Fulham might actually suit him also because expectations from him there would be low as compared to Arsenal or Manchester City.
Moreover, Liverpool could also be one of the destinations of the want away keeper but they are in high debt and there is a real chance that Liverpool F.C. will be asset stripped of its best talent over the next 12 months. The Spanish duo of Fernando Torres
and Pepe Reina has contracts with Liverpool which state that they would be sold next year if the club’s financial difficulties endure. Even if things improve in the instantaneous period, it looks as if Torres may still be looking to move on, anyway.
If Liverpool decide to sell this pair then they are expected to generate some £60 to £80 million. Barcelona would be more than interested in both and rumor has it that Arsenal have already put in a cheeky £20 million bid for Reina in July. If Liverpool eventually
sells Reina then buying Shay Given for some £5 million would be a magnificent bit of business. There is not really much amongst the pair as both are top-class goal keepers. The only advantage to Reina over Shay Given is that Reina is six years junior to him.
Moreover, Manchester City's local rivals would be Manchester United while their major rivals for the top four would be Tottenham Hotspur. Shay Given being sold to one of these rival clubs seems to be making no sense. The player of his quality will only strengthen
the squad he joins. Manchester City appears to be improving day by day. They are a storm that cannot be stopped, and eventually Citizens will win the Premier League. City has no reason to fear any team in the Barclays English Premier League. They are moving
towards the top of the EPL and it will take a huge effort to stop them.
So, it wouldn’t be a strange thing to see Shay Given featuring for either Spurs or The Red Devils in the next 12 to 18 months. The 40-year-old Edwin Van Der Sar is close to retirement. Sir Alex Ferguson would surely be looking for his replacement and from
the past experience of the legendary boss; it is quite possible that he would go on to sign Shay. As far as Tottenham Hotspurs are concerned, Shay Given is one of the favorites of their boss, Harry Redknapp. Given has everything that Harry loves in a player.
And most importantly, Given would be inexpensive.
Without a doubt, Spurs’ current keeper Gomes has showed an impressive performance since Harry hired Tony Parks as the goalkeeping coach. Moreover, Gomes was also the best 'keeper in the league at one stage. But, he is injury prone and that creates some chances
of Given joining the Spurs. Given would undoubtedly fit the bill perfectly at any club in EPL while quite a few in Europe also.
There is also interest for him from outside England as Juventus and AS Roma are both said to be concerned in drawing the Irish international to Serie A.
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