UPDATED: SHAY GIVEN is being forced to stay at Manchester City, although it has emerged this evening that Spurs have tabled Stg£4M for the player.
The Lifford man was hoping to move to a Championship side – which would have meant he could be on a 24-hour recall to Eastlands in an emergency.
But Roberto Mancini has told the Manchester Evening News that he wants Given to stay put.
“The window closes soon,” he said. “For us it would be impossible to find another goalkeeper like Shay. He must stay here.
“If we lose another player we need to bring in someone different. It is impossible if we have 19-20 players for the next four months.”
Tonight however – with 24 hours left to the transfer window closes – London newspapers are reporting a £4M offer from Spurs for the star.
Earlier a frustrated Given had revealed his ambition to move down a division just to get regular football.
“I just want to play football,” Given is quoted as saying in the Irish Times. “I do not want to go for an entire season without playing, which is how it’s looking if I don’t get games.
“I am prepared to go to a Championship club immediately to get some games and to be on a 24-hour call-back to Manchester City.
“That would benefit me, by getting me match-sharp, and City, who would have an experienced, match-sharp goalkeeper to come in if Joe got injured. I’d hope it would also benefit the club I’d be at. There are a couple interested.”
