Big Sam fears Martins exit
Sam Allardyce is hoping to convince Obafemi Martins to stay at
Newcastle.
The Nigerian has a £13million get-out clause in his contract and
has been linked with Arsenal following the sale of Thierry Henry to
Barcelona.
With speculation also rife about Michael Owen's future on Tyneside,
Allardyce plans to sit down with Martins next week and outline his
ambitious vision for The Magpies.
He told the website: "All I can say from the club's point of view
and mine is that it is only speculation because we have had no
official contact from anybody at Arsenal at the moment.
"Everybody knows about the clause situation he has - that leaves us
in a very poor position as a football club.
"We are left in a very precarious position regarding that. All the
speculation that is flying around is difficult to cope with, but it
is something we will have to try to find out over the next few
days.
"When Oba comes back, we will sit down and say, 'What exactly is
the situation?' and if he has any problems, try to resolve them and
hopefully persuade him Newcastle is the place for him next
season."
Allardyce has no such plans to meet with Owen, as he is confident
of keeping the England striker.
"I don't think there is any need to speak to Michael - that was all
covered weeks and weeks ago, as far as I was concerned.
"There has been no speculation regarding Michael since then. Now it
has moved on to Oba and when that sort of clause is inserted in a
contract, those are the sort of players that bring up more
speculation than everybody else."
