WHILE JOE Kinnear said prior to last night’s game at Manchester City he was “heartbroken” by the impending defection of Shay Given to Eastlands, Harry Redknapp was bearing up somewhat better over the non-arrival of Brazilian striker Fred at White Hart Lane for talks, with the Spurs’ boss said to be still mulling over the possibility of making a firm offer for Robbie Keane.
With the Brazilian now unlikely to move to Tottenham, Redknapp is believed to be weighing up an offer for the Republic of Ireland captain.
Spurs are in a position to cancel the remaining portion (almost €12 million) of the more than €20 million transfer fee agreed for Keane six months ago but Redknapp’s preference for offering a player, most likely Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas, rather than a significant lump on top of that appears to be a stumbling block, with Rafael Benitez not believed to be interested in either man.
Kinnear confirmed he expected Given to leave “for a new challenge”. The 32-year-old, who wasn’t part of the Newcastle squad for last night’s game, is set to complete his move to Eastlands within the next 24 to 48 hours.
“I’ve bent over backwards to keep Shay,” said Kinnear, “and I have told the powers that be that he has got to stay but I understand it from Shay’s point of view. He wants to leave, he’s done 11 years here at Newcastle and I think he wants a new challenge.
“It’s out of my hands and I am still waiting for the final outcome but I think he wants a new challenge and that he wants to speak to Manchester City.
“I would be heartbroken to see him go because he is one of the best keepers in the world. But Man City keep banging on the door to talk to him.”
Given decided not to travel to the City of Manchester Stadium for the Premier League game against Manchester City last night and his decision appears to offer the clearest indication yet that his Newcastle career is approaching its conclusion. The official explanation for his absence was given as an injury to his right knee.
Reading manager Steve Coppell has yet again insisted that nobody has made the €5.3 million offer required to trigger a release clause in Stephen Hunt’s contract. “I know there has been contact by clubs,” said Coppell. “Maybe some people need to go to church on Sunday and go to confession, but I can categorically state 100 per cent there has been no bid for Stephen Hunt.”
However, it appears Wigan are prepared to meet Reading’s asking price for Hunt but Reading are unwilling to accept the bid because the clause in the player’s contract demands that the entire transfer fee is paid up front.
Wigan would prefer to pay the fee in instalments, leading to a breakdown in talks.
Hunt, meanwhile, was clearly uncertain about where his future lies. “I don’t know if I expect to stay. I’m happy here, but at the same time Premier League football is hard to turn down,” said the Ireland international.
“Of course there is the chance of staying and going up with Reading, but only time will tell.”
SUPPORTERS wishing to apply to the FAI for tickets for the World Cup qualifier against Italy on April 1st in Bari have been asked to send an email with their name, postal address and contact numbers to ticket.office@fai.ie by Friday. The Italian FA yesterday confirmed the kick-off for the game will be at 8.50pm local time (7.50pm Irish time).
LIMERICK FC officials have confirmed that Sunderland will play a friendly game at Thomond Park in late July. No firm date has been fixed for the game, which will be part of a process of developing links between the two clubs.
“Niall Quinn has been brilliant,” said Limerick CEO Andrew Mawhinney, “and we’re very excited about the prospect of working with him.”
Aston Villa and Celtic are amongst the clubs who have been asked to come over as well.
ST PATRICK’S Athletic have confirmed the signing of former Galway United goalkeeper Gary Rogers for the coming season.
