United want O'Hara in part-exchange for Given

Tottenham Hotspurs want to hijack Manchester City's hopes of landing highly-rated Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Premiership strugglers Newcastle United, reports The Daily Mirror.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is said to be keen on bringing Given to White Hart Lane, as City boss Mark Hughes mulls over the prospect of increasing his £8 million bid for the 32-year-old stopper.

Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes is desperate to return to the Dutch Eredivisie, with his old club PSV Eindhoven ready to pay as much as £5 million to Spurs for his services.

Redknapp sees Shay Given as the ideal replacement for the Brazilian, and so, Daniel Levy and his representatives are preparing a bid.

The Magpies are adamant about Given leaving, but would be tempted to sell if an offer in the region of £12 million arrived at the door.

The billionaires of City have been surprisingly miserly in terms of Given, considering they have already paid £14 million for West Ham United flop Craig Bellamy, and an equal amount for Chelsea Reserve team left-back Wayne Bridge.

The initial enquiry led to United telling Tottenham that if they are serious in signing the veteran stopper, they should be ready to pay at least £10 million, with midfielder Jamie O'Hara included as part of the package.

The Toon made a similar demand to City, stating that the only way Given would leave is if the Citizens offered £9 million and Michael Johnson to them.

Spurs are currently locked in talks with United Managing Director Derek Llambias about a potential deal, with City expected to enter the fray in the next few days.

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