Spurs may rival City for Given

MANCHESTER City could have rivals in their bid to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given.

City are thought to have offered around £8million for the Republic of Ireland international, who stunned Newcastle last week by saying he was “despondent” with the crisis surrounding the St James’ Park outfit.

However, the 32-year-old could also be a target for Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham.

Meanwhile, City will step up their efforts to sign West Ham pair Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy, although it seems increasingly likely that the Hammers will reject approaches for their top players.

The cash-strapped Hammers have already agreed to sell Lee Bowyer (Birmingham), Matthew Etherington (Stoke) and Callum Davenport (Bolton) to ease their wage bill and bid to hang on to their main men.

Back at Eastlands, City’s unsettled defender Tal Ben-Haim may be offered as a makeweight in a possible deal for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz.