SHAY GIVEN AND Daryl Murphy could both be Middlesbrough players by the end of the week.
The Birmingham Mail reports that a deal involving Shay Given may be completed as early as today.
Despite being Villa and Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper at the end of last season, the club are understood to be willing to release the 39-year-old Donegal native from the final year of his €76,000-a-week contract and allow him to join the Championship side, who he had a successful spell on loan with in the 2013-14 season.
Villa, who signed Given from Man City for €4.8 million in 2011, are consequently expected to be without a senior goalkeeper for their US Tour, with Brad Guzan on Gold Cup duty with the US and Benjamin Siegrist still injured.
Meanwhile, another Irish international who could soon join Given at Boro is Daryl Murphy.
The 32-year-old ex-Waterford United player was the Championship’s top scorer last season, registering 27 goals, with Boro boss Aitor Karanka keen to replace Patrick Bamford, who has returned to Chelsea, following a loan spell with the Teesiders.
Ipswich, whose boss Mick McCarthy was in attendance for Shamrock Rovers’ 3-0 Europa League victory last night, are understood to have already rejected an offer for the striker from their Championship rivals, but Sky Sports report that Boro are set to make an improved bid for the prolific striker.
The Tractor Boys are reportedly holding out for a bid of just under €7 million, with at least one other unnamed club also believed to be interested in Murphy
A big move would complete an excellent few months for the forward, who recently impressed in Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.
