Could Sunderland be about to sign Newcastle legend Shay Given following his release by Stoke?
Sunderland have stepped up their pursuit of signing a new goalkeeper after Vito Mannone completed his £2m switch to Reading, reports the Sunderland Echo.
New manager Simon Grayson has already lost two stoppers this summer, with Jordan Pickford having also joined Everton, and wants a new first choice between the sticks.
Stoke City’s Shay Given
The report says that while the Black Cats have been linked with Leeds United’s Rob Green, they are also keeping tabs on Shay Given following his release by Stoke City.
Now aged 41, Given certainly has lots of experience and a move to the Stadium of Light would perhaps prove a controversial one with the ‘keeper having been number one at rivals Newcastle United for 12 years.
The veteran has actually played for Sunderland before, spending six months on loan at the club in 1996 back when he was with Blackburn Rovers.
Currently, Grayson only has 21-year-old Max Stryjek – who is part of the Under-23s squad – and Mika – who is yet to play a game for the club following a 2016 switch from Boavista – as options in goal.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson during his time with Preston
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