Newcastle are hopeful of fighting off any approach from Manchester
City for England striker Michael Owen, but Arsenal are a different
proposition.
The 27-year-old has a get-out clause in his contract which would
allow him to leave St James' Park for as little as £9million.
Speculation grows that Sven-Goran Eriksson, who worked with the
player during his spell as England boss, could try to take Owen to
Manchester City should he be appointed manager.
Owen has yet to comment publicly on his future and has two years of
his contract still to run.
However, manager Sam Allardyce has discussed his plans with the
player, and while he admits there would be little he could do to
prevent him leaving should another club trigger the clause, he will
hope he has persuaded him to form a new-look strike force with
summer signing Mark Viduka and perhaps Obafemi Martins.
But Arsenal have confirmed they have reached an agreement with
Barcelona for the transfer of Thierry Henry, subject to a medical
and the completion of formalities. And we all know the Gunners see
Owen as a target should Henry move on.
The Spanish club's vice-president Ferran Soriano confirmed on
Friday night that talks with the France striker over a reported
£16million deal were at an "advanced" stage.
And a statement on the Gunners' official website read this morning:
"Arsenal Football Club can confirm that it has reached an agreement
with Barcelona for the transfer of Thierry Henry.
"The deal is subject to a medical and the completion of
formalities."
Owen?hmm,injury prone~
haiya