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.
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.
