We can confirm today that the Irish international will NOT be heading back to St James'Park, but whoever does sign him ... it won't be on the cheap.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini: "Shay is an important player and he will cost someone a lot of money.
"I said Shay could leave the club if he wants and we have a good option but if he stayed it would be OK for me."
Given left Newcastle at a time he could have made the history books as the player to make the most appearances for the club.
1 Jimmy Lawrence (1904-1922) 496
2 Frank Hudspeth (1910-1929) 472
3 Shay Given (1997-2009) 462