Alex McLeish prepares to make his first signing since his controversial switch from Birmingham City and has settled on Manchester City’s bench-warmer Shay Given as his choice.
Villa have been without a front-line keeper since Brad Friedel brought his three-year claret and blue career to an end when he opted to join Spurs earlier in the summer.
Given is desperate for some first-team football
McLeish has also considered returning to his old club with a bid for Birmingham’s former Manchester United keeper Ben Foster. But Sportsmail understands he has opted for a £5million-valued Given and will install him as his new number one.
The biggest obstacle could be, as with many other players coming from the Eastlands, the Rebulic of Ireland’s keeper £85,000-a-week wage.
The experienced shot-stopper would be the definite first-choice goalkeeper at Villa, with only Brad Guzan and Andy Marshall in reserve.
Given is unhappy following a season in which he failed to feature in any of his side’s Premier League games. The keeper made only four appearances for City last season, all in their ill-fated Europa League campaign, and ten for his country.
Despite a decent start to his Man City career, he became second choice to Englishman Joe Hart, following the latter player’s successful loan stint under McLeish at Birmingham.
Given’s lack of first team football has not appeared to impact upon his form when playing however, as he performed well during Ireland’s recent 2-0 win against Macedonia.
Having settled on the Irishman as their first choice Villa must now agree a fee with City for a player who has more than two years left on the contract he signed when he joined the FA Cup winners from Newcastle in 2009.
City paid £7m for him then and will want to recoup much of that since they will have to find a replacement themselves.
Another sticking point could be Celtic’s interest. Just last month Given spoke glowingly about the Scottish club although they would not be able to match the financial package Villa could put together.
Villa will also step up their interest in Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia although Sunderland, Everton and Newcastle remain keen also.
McLeish is also keen on an ambitious move for Real Madrid youngster Sergio Canales, 20, who is available on loan.
Tags: Alex McLeish, Aston Villa, brad friedel, Eastlands, mancheste city, Republic of Ireland, Shay Given, Villa Park
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