Daily Mirror
Michael Owen set to leave Newcastle
30/08/2008
Michael Owen is set to deal Kevin Keegan a massive blow by leaving Newcastle.
And Toon boss Keegan fears the Dimitar Berbatov saga could mean either Manchester United or Tottenham come in with a bid in the next 24 hours that tempts billionaire owner Mike Ashley to cash in.
Keegan's passionate campaign to keep Owen at Newcastle looks doomed after Ashley insisted the players £5million-a-year wages must be slashed.
The England striker, whose present deal expires in June 2009, has been offered a new one-year deal worth £80,000 a week.
But that represents a s1m-plus cut on his present annual salary and doesnt offer the job security Owen is seeking.
Owen, who will be 29 in December, can sign a pre-contract for another team in January and there is sure to be a queue of clubs ready to take him on a free.
Owen has said he is happy to stay , but when he sits down with his advisers this week the feeling is he will reject the new offer.
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A Newcastle insider has revealed Keegan is distraught at the prospect of losing his star striker, especially as his squad is now smaller than last season.
He said: "Kevin has done everything possible to persuade Newcastle to push the boat out to keep Owen. He knows asking Owen to take a pay cut leaves the player with little option but to sign for someone else."
And if Ashley believes Owen may go for nothing in January he might even accept an offer for him before this transfer window closes. Certainly Keegan is concerned about that.
Losing James Milner was bad enough, but if Keegan saw Owen go it would be a disaster.
Fans are concerned that in net terms the club is actually in profit on summer transfers.
But Keegan is hoping that will change. He said: "We are looking to get three or four players in by midnight on Monday. I am confident we will do that."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest/...5875-20717693/
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If we could get Owen for £2m, or another reasonable price, I would grab him with both hands.
Yes, hes had a lot of injuries at Newcastle. But Newcastle players seem to get a lot, and I mean a lot of injuries, and you can't tell me all of those players are injury-prone.
I believe that we could get him back to his best, and when he is at his best, hes a great striker.
For £2m, or another reasonable price, hes definitely worth the risk imo.
Your opinion?