Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has described Manchester City's initial approaches for Shay Given as an 'insult' but faces a battle to get much more after admitting the goalkeeper has "made it clear he wants to leave".

Kinnear confessed last night that the goalkeeper is eager to end his 11-year stay at St James's Park and a written transfer request was expected to be submitted today.

However, the Magpies boss is adamant that he and owner Mike Ashley will not be accepting the 'derisory offer' of €5.5million which has currently been tabled by City’s billionaire Abu Dhabi-based owners.

Newcastle are facing a battle to survive in the Premier League and Kinnear maintains if he must allow one of his star assets to leave, he will not let Given exit in a cut-price deal.

"We have had approaches for Shay - serious approaches from Man City. Irrespective of all the stories, they've offered £5million and not a penny more," Kinnear told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"We think it's an insult to offer that for the best keeper in the Premier League. It's a derisory offer.

"But Shay has made it clear he wants to leave.

"I wasn't involved too much with the meeting between the owner, Shay and his agent when they tried to thrash it out.

"But as far as I know, the owner and the managing director were unhappy they've only been offered £5million. That's where we stand.

"I don't want to lose him - I'm fighting a relegation battle."

Given did not travel with the Newcastle squad for Wednesday night's defeat to City at Eastlands and the Republic of Ireland international's absence was attributed to a knee injury.

One player potentially coming in is Toulouse right-back Albin Ebondo, with Kinnear claiming: "We're still tied up in negotiations.

"The original price was €2.7million but (Toulouse) moved the goalposts and it's now €3.3million. We are still out in France negotiating. It's been two weeks now, so we have to wait and see."