Newcastle United
Harper Steps Up But Says "It Might Not Happen Yet"
By Tyne-Talk
February 1 2009
Newcastle United keeper Shay Given is today undergoing a medical at Manchester City after the two clubs were reported to have agreed on an improved fee of £8million, £3million more than City’s previous offer. Given who was granted permission to discuss personal terms with the club on Friday is now likely have the deal sealed by the end of the day.
Meanwhile his replacement, Steve Harper who joined Newcastle in 1993 will finally be given a permanent opportunity to prove his ability as Newcastle’s first keeper rather than playing as an understudy. He has told how he was “flattered” by the interest in him from Tottenham but is happy to have signed a new contract with Newcastle.
He said;
"I was flattered Tottenham put an offer in for me and if the club had accepted that, it's unlikely I would be here now.But when the club turned down the offer from Spurs and came back with another offer, looking at the bigger picture, I was happy to stay.
As Joey Barton said when all the speculation was going, 'You're a lifer'.
I did watch the second leg of Spurs' cup semi-final. I watched that because, when a bid is in, anything can happen.
Did Shay's statement have a bearing on my decision to stay? Yes.
From last summer, Kevin Keegan had mentioned to me about a new contract. It was sort of in the pipeline and nothing really materialised until before Christmas, when an offer was made.
But then I wanted to wait and see what would happen in January.
And everything that has gone on since certainly did have an influence.
After Tottenham came in, Newcastle came back with another offer and, given the circumstances, I was only too happy to commit myself.
However, Harper is all to aware of how quickly transfers can fall through and added;
"Would I have liked the first-team shirt in different circumstances? I don't know if I've got it yet. It's still up in the air.
Ask me on Tuesday. I'll be watching Sky Sports News on Monday night! If it happens, it happens.
Until then, I don't want to start thinking about it, because it might not happen yet."
Harper, whose new 3 year contract will see him at the club until his is 37, had his busiest and best season last season (2007/2008) with 19 starts and 2 appearances as a sub when Given was out through injury.
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01/02/2009 12:03
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£8 million? Pocket money for City, we're a joke.
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