SHAY GIVEN remains deeply concerned about his position at Newcastle United. The Ireland goalkeeper, who expressed anxiety about the club’s “direction” at the end of last season, has not been reassured in the intervening weeks and, while he is not agitating for a transfer from St James’ Park, the 29-year-old’s disquiet has registered elsewhere.

Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with Given, although none has made contact with Newcastle. He has two seasons remaining on his contract and, in an ideal world, would prefer to remain on Tyneside, but the team’s decline and a lack of communication from club officials is causing unease.

Alan Shearer has been granted a testimonial match by Newcastle as part of his one-year contract extension. The former England captain, who will retire as a player next summer, is to be honoured for his decade of loyal service in a glamorous friendly at St James’.

Patrick Kluivert, who was released from his contract at Newcastle, has joined Valencia on a three-year deal, subject to a medical. “Valencia is an enormous team and I’m very excited about this agreement,” the Holland forward said.

Newcastle are hoping to sign Daniel van Buyten, the Hamburger SV and Belgium defender, while Robbie Keane, Steed Malbranque, Scott Parker and Emre Belözoglu are among their other targets.

Sunderland have completed the £100,000 signing of Daryl Murphy from Waterford, with the Ireland Under-21 striker agreeing a two-year contract on Wearside. “I’m absolutely delighted to come to a club as big as Sunderland,” Murphy, 22, said.

Keith Lamb, the chief executive of Middlesbrough, has dismissed reports linking the club with Luis Figo, the Real Madrid and Portugal winger, as “absolute rubbish”.

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