[h=1]Mark Hughes set to make a £3m bid for Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given this week.[/h][h=2]Mark Hughes is set to make a £3m bid for Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given this week.[/h] please log in to view this image Rusty: Shay Given watches the ball go in for the third time again in Poznan against Croatia Photo: REUTERS By John Percy 10:00PM BST 10 Jun 2012 please log in to view this image Comment Hughes, the QPR manager, is ready to present Paul Lambert with his first test at Villa by making an offer for the Republic of Ireland international. Given, 36, played under Hughes at Manchester City and is less than 12 months into a five-year contract he signed last July, when he was signed for £3.5m by Lambert's predecessor Alex McLeish. But Hughes is desperate to recruit a new No 1 this summer and is preparing a bid in the next 48 hours. He has also considered Birmingham's Ben Foster and England international Robert Green, who is a free agent after contract talks at West Ham broke down, but Given has emerged as his preferred option. Villa are under no pressure to sell Given, who endured a torrid evening last night in Ireland's 3-1 Euro 2012 defeat to Croatia, and are expected to reject the bid.
I hope we get him. Prefer him to all the others we've been linked with. I think he's an outstanding footballer
Don't think he was fully fit for that game last night, but even taking that into account, I wonder if he has lost his sharpness and instinctive reaction speed. That first goal was a dreadful one to let in; it wasn't a powerful header, and Given in his prime wouldn't have let that one go by him, even if unsighted as he clearly was. If he performs similarly over next couple of games he's not worth buying.
Pete , i think he was an outstanding footballer , not so sure now. Better than Kenny , most Definitely , best option not so sure now .
He's not fit, clearly. I prefer to judge him on his consistent performances for years. He's not suddenly not good enough because of last night.
If anyone knows Hughes, please beg him not to get Given. You dont want me to go on about him like i did with Kenny. We shouldnt waste £3m on a 36 yo keeper who is only going to get older and more injury prone. Id be gutted to get him or Green.
i'm not basing just on last night. He did'nt have a great season. 5 years ago he was the best in the league , if we go for him then i hope we go for Butland also.
Given wouldn't sign for us if we get Butland, it'll be the Hart at Man City scenario all over again. I'd rather we get Foster with a good youngster as back-up...
Tricky one, isn't it? I think Given has easily got a couple of good seasons left in him. It's a priority, is our goalie. We can only beg to differ and trust MH to sign the right one - whoever he is
I reckon Given could be on the decline. Whilst he shouldn't be judged on one game, he was AWFUL last night. We need someone younger but established who's going to be on the top of their game for five years or more, with Paddy and/or an exceptional youngster as back up for 2012/13. Foster would be my choice.
AWFUL? Had a poor game as he was at fault for the first goal. But awful? You okay Rodders? Still, hes too old and injury prone. We should be going for a young 'un.
Would prefer to see Foster. Only 29, had a good season with WBA, and will get better over the next 5 years (long enough to develop our own young talented England number 1 of the future).
Agree that he's too old. We used to be a breeding ground for quality keepers : Parkes, Burridge, Seaman et al. Great header, we could use that technique up front LOL !!
Got to be Foster i think.. Given is good but for how much longer? Bit to old as well i think. Still wouldn't mind Hart though...what ever happened to the Schmiecal rumours ?
