Jimbo 175 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Michael Owen's miserable stay at Newcastle will end during next month's transfer window if the club can find a buyer. Newcastle are ready to cut their losses on the England striker, who cost them £17million to sign from Real Madrid in the summer of 2005. Newcastle ready to let Owen go Manager Sam Allardyce has contacted Manchester City's Sven Goran Eriksson to see if he is interested in Owen. The two worked closely together during the Swede's five-and-a-half years in charge of England but although Eriksson is keen, City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has blocked any deal because of the 28-year-old's wretched fitness record since he moved to St James' Park. Owen has started only 21 games since joining Newcastle. When his £105,000-a-week salary is taken into account, the deal has so far cost them more than £30m. Newcastle will want about £8m and fear the former Liverpool striker would be available for nothing at the end of next summer if he is not sold. There has been no sign of a contract extension and Owen is eager to be playing European football at this critical stage of his career. Owen is expected to return against Derby on Sunday week after spending more time on the sidelines because of the damaged hamstring he picked up on international duty with England. Allardyce would prefer to do a deal towards the end of January, which would give Owen time to prove his fitness. Newcastle will be without Obafemi Martins during the African Nations Cup next month and will need a ready-made replacement. Crucially, Allardyce has been told he has little cash for transfers during the January window and will have to generate his own finance. If he can find a buyer for Owen, he will be given the funds for new players. Owen's miserable injury record has contributed to Newcastle's disappointing form over recent years and former manager Sir Bobby Robson will tonight stir the pot further by claiming the club's problems can be traced back to his departure from St James' Park. Robson was in charge for five years before being sacked after a poor run of results at the start of the 2004-05 season. Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder followed but failed to live up to expectations and now Allardyce, appointed in the summer, is the latest to feel the pressure. 'I took the club over when it was bottom of the league and in the last three years I was there it was third, fourth and fifth,' said Robson, 74, in an interview to be shown on on Setanta's Friday Football Show. 'We were in the top five for the last three years. I lost my job rather abruptly, I couldn't believe it. I didn't lose two consecutive matches and I lost my job, it was crazy. Without being egotistical, the club has suffered ever since.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@yourservice 67 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Thank fuck for that! Bye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Aye, not worth the hassle. Should easily get somewhere between 8 and 10 mil for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassplayerjj 0 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 all I want for christmas is a 200th of what Owen get's a week, a 200th of what Owen get's a week....a 200th of what Owen get's a week. FUCK OFF YOU CRIPPLE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaser 1321 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 There arent any quotes at this stage and the media has been known to stir the pot lately. By taking the quote about finances from Chris Mort, they may have just made the story about Owen as it generates funds. If he does go, its a sickening end to a disasterous signing. If he stays, you just hope he will get over the injuries but unfortunately I dont think we are going to see a consistently fit player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 nice responses so far (sic), but even i m struggling to find justification for a once great player who can't stay fit for a run of games. such a shame really as he was the player we needed but can't put it together for any period of time anymore... when he comes back from ijury hopefully he can prove my sentiments wrong. i doubt it however.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrossthepond 901 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Owen has started only 21 games since joining Newcastle. When his £105,000-a-week salary is taken into account, the deal has so far cost them more than £30m. The only quote needed if I'm honest. 30 mil for that wastrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Toon 0 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 He'll be available for free at the end of the season? That's absolutely ridiculous. £8m would be a very good price for him, regardless of that little clause. I just hope Sven can persuade Thaksin to give him the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Im not too fussed either way. His name has overpowered his product. Therefore to me, regardless of undoubted quality, he has expired... Id rather have a decent striker with half the publicity etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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