If Sam Allardyce was still in the Newcastle hot seat, Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen would have been a Newcastle player in January.
The deal was just about done and dusted and WOULD have gone ahead.
Allardyce made no secret he wanted the goalkeeper; Jaaskelainen made no secret he fancied the move.
Arsene Weneger has long been a fan of Given, and the Irish 'keeper knows it, but Given has continued to pledge his future to Newcastle ... no matter what stories come from the London media.
Shay Given: "I have said all along that I'm extremely happy living and playing here in Newcastle. I want to help to move this club forward.
"Hopefully we will get new players in and strengthen the squad. We want to get this place going."
"I am just raring to go and ready to play football again.
"It has been a long close season and it was a long end to the season as well.
"I was working on fitness towards the end of last season and continued that throughout the summer. I feel as fit and strong as I have ever felt.
"I have done a lot of rehabilitation with the physios and been in the gym. Now I am just ready to get back out on the field.
"I only had a bit of a break, but even when I was away I was doing my work and training.
"I'd had a break after I had an operation, so my aim was always to get fit for the start of pre-season, not the end. As I say, I feel as fit as ever, so it has paid off."