Owen keen to stay - but on his terms

[Jimbo 175]

Michael Owen has told Newcastle United that he is eager to remain at the club beyond the end of his present contract, but the England forward will not accept a pay cut as the price for his loyalty.

 

The 28-year-old striker is relishing life under Kevin Keegan, but unless a new deal is agreed before next summer, Owen will be entitled to leave St James' Park on a free transfer.

 

Owen earns in the region of £120,000 a week at Newcastle, whose owners are attempting to exercise wage restraint. Negotiations are continuing and remain positive in tone, but at an age when he should be reaching his peak - in spite of his recent history of injuries - Owen expects his present terms to be extended. Keegan, the Newcastle manager, has spoken repeatedly of the importance of securing his captain's future.

 

The forward has been suffering from mumps this summer, but he scored seven goals in his final nine club games last season and is hoping to pick up where he left off.

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“The end of the season was great,” Owen said. “When I get into a rhythm and I'm playing regularly it's fine, but since I've been here it's been stop-start, with a lot of injuries. It's probably been the first time in my career it's been like that.

 

“I had a few problems earlier on with hamstring problems, but it's been major things since I've been at Newcastle - six operations and none prior - so it was nice to finally get into a nice rhythm and score a few goals. That'll continue as long as I get on the pitch.

 

“Towards the end of last season we beat Sunderland 2-0 and went seven games unbeaten and there was a real feel-good factor about the squad. We were buzzing. It was a cracking run. Hopefully we can begin the new season in the same way as we ended the last one.

 

“We have quite a small squad, but a close-knit one and one with a lot of quality. It's a lovely honour to lead the team out.”

[ohhh_yeah 2991]

“Michael Owen is as important as Alan Shearer was for Newcastle,” the 22-year-old said in The Sun.

 

“His record speaks for itself and it is vital he stays with us. Just one look at his record shows you how key a player is. I want him to stay and hopefully everyone can come to some sort of agreement.

 

“Does he want to stay? That is something for Michael to answer but he knows how much we value him. The man is a goal machine.”

 

 

Steven Taylor

[NJS 4446]

I know I shouldn't but what's the correlation between those quotes and him refusing a pay cut?

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

I dont think he will take a pay cut & why should he when he can go for free next year and no doubt get the same wages as a club wouldnt have to pay a penny for him

 

Ashley should stop being a tight cunt and give him the money plus pay the fuckin going rate for other players we need rather than fucking our chances for the season before a ball is kicked

[JawD 99]

As ever, this whole saga is made up from opinions based on articles and head lines like this.

 

Id like to see him on a lower wage but with more incentive built in. Around fitness, goals and league position.

[Dr Gloom 22535]

the times is his paper so probably some truth in this one. i wouldn;t be suprised if he refuses to take a pay cut.

[Douggy B 0]

I dont think he will take a pay cut & why should he when he can go for free next year and no doubt get the same wages as a club wouldnt have to pay a penny for him

 

There isnt a club on this planet that would give 120K/week free or not, he is a 60/70K player, he has to come to terms with that.

 

Ashley should stop being a tight cunt and give him the money plus pay the fuckin going rate for other players we need rather than fucking our chances for the season before a ball is kicked

 

A fuck your chances of being a going concern in the future?

[NobbySol 22]

Still the best english finisher in the land, fantastic eye for goal and can't believe some people don't rate him. Ridiculous!

Perhaps the fact hes english is another reason for astronomical wage demands, still I would hate to lose him for a fee let alone for free. He has undeniable talent and one of which we desperately need to get the club moving forward imo.

[Kid Dynamite 7318]

The first line made me laugh. His 'loyalty'!!! Loyalty doesnt come into it when you have a contract. Even less so when its one of the biggest contracts in the country. Its easy to be loyal when no-one else will take you either.

 

Keep up the good work ashley, tell the greedy fucker where to go, I wouldnt be lashing out £120k a week of my money on him either.

[Torres 0]

I dont think he will take a pay cut & why should he when he can go for free next year and no doubt get the same wages as a club wouldnt have to pay a penny for him

 

There isnt a club on this planet that would give 120K/week free or not, he is a 60/70K player, he has to come to terms with that.

 

Ashley should stop being a tight cunt and give him the money plus pay the fuckin going rate for other players we need rather than fucking our chances for the season before a ball is kicked

 

A fuck your chances of being a going concern in the future?

 

 

 

:icon_lol:

[Tooj 17]

Still the best english finisher in the land, fantastic eye for goal and can't believe some people don't rate him. Ridiculous!

Perhaps the fact hes english is another reason for astronomical wage demands, still I would hate to lose him for a fee let alone for free. He has undeniable talent and one of which we desperately need to get the club moving forward imo.

I don't think his finishing is all that great if I'm being honest, the way he instinctively gets on the ends of chances is still pretty special, but last season he missed quite a lot of easy chances that someone of his so called calibre should be burying.

[Tom 14021]

I dont think he will take a pay cut & why should he when he can go for free next year and no doubt get the same wages as a club wouldnt have to pay a penny for him

 

There isnt a club on this planet that would give 120K/week free or not, he is a 60/70K player, he has to come to terms with that.

 

Ashley should stop being a tight cunt and give him the money plus pay the fuckin going rate for other players we need rather than fucking our chances for the season before a ball is kicked

 

A fuck your chances of being a going concern in the future?

 

Look who's talking

 

 

[triggy99 0]

Still the best english finisher in the land, fantastic eye for goal and can't believe some people don't rate him. Ridiculous!

Perhaps the fact hes english is another reason for astronomical wage demands, still I would hate to lose him for a fee let alone for free. He has undeniable talent and one of which we desperately need to get the club moving forward imo.

I don't think his finishing is all that great if I'm being honest, the way he instinctively gets on the ends of chances is still pretty special, but last season he missed quite a lot of easy chances that someone of his so called calibre should be burying.

 

Still best england finisher though because rooney is his only competition