SOCCER: Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is not aware of a bid from Eastlands for Newcastle United and Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given. A Newcastle veteran of 11 years, Given recently revealed his frustration with the club's underachievement and was reportedly the subject of an £8million approach from City.
Hughes this morning denied an offer had been made but the City manager's one line response did nothing to dispel speculation that one may be forthcoming.
"No, I don't think there has been an offer for Shay Given," he said.
City's tally of 38 goals scored this season is more than anyone bar Chelsea, but they have conceded 30, a statistic that sees them 13th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation places.
Their first-choice goalkeeper, Joe Hart, is yet to turn 22 and the back up, Kasper Schmeichel and Richard Martin, are of similar vintage.
Newcastle need to sell if they are to free up funds to bring players in and with a contract until 2011, Given is their most valuable asset. Manager Joe Kinnear has insisted Given will be staying on Tyneside but if owner Mike Ashley receives the right offer he may have very little say in the matter.
Tottenham, Arsenal and Juventus have also been reported as possible destinations for the Donegal man and if City were to begin the bidding it would surely flush out other admirers. Though few, home or abroad, can compete with City's financial clout.
None of those clubs, however, would have difficulty meeting the wage demands of the 32-year-old, who is on approximately £40,000 a week at St James's Park.
Hughes did confirm that another bid for Roque Santa Cruz, "significantly higher" than the one made during the summer, has been turned down by Blackburn Rovers.
Hughes stepped up his interest in the player he brought to Ewood Park last season but his latest offer was knocked back by his former club.
Hughes is desperate to strengthen his squad in the transfer window and is now considering whether to up the offer for the Paraguy international, which was significantly higher than the £12million he bid in the summer.
"We have made an improved bid, a substantial bid for Roque Santa Cruz but it was rejected," said Hughes. "We made a bid in the region of £12million in the summer and it (the new bid) is significantly higher than that.
"But we still want to bring him to the club if we can but he is Blackburn's player and they don't want to deal at the level we have made a bid at.
"That is their prerogative."
Hughes also revealed approaches had been turned down for West Ham duo Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy.
"We made initial enquiries about Parker and Bellamy, made a double bid, but that was rejected. We haven't gone back to the table on that one but we may well do," he added.
Yaya Toure's agent insists he has heard nothing from Manchester City about a potential bid for the Barcelona midfielder, and also warned any prospective suitors they may be wasting their time trying to tempt the Ivory Coast international from the Nou Camp.
Dimitri Seluk is adamant City have not been in touch with him and also revealed that in any case his client is not looking to quit Barca.
"Toure is happy at Barca, currently the best team in Europe and he has no intention of moving," Seluk was quoted as telling Catalan radio station RKB. "He is one of the best in the world in his position and it's normal that some clubs are interested in him. Manchester City have ambition and money but they have not spoken with me, they need to do it with Barca."
