No 140k deal for Owen, no move for Saviola, Milner stays
The rumour (’insider exclusive’) that Newcastle have offered Michael Owen a 140k/week deal is ridiculous.
A club that’s been making noises about tightening up financially, a club that’s not at the level of certain other bigger clubs in terms of cash flow, is not going to offer that big a deal to a player who has spent more time on the doctor’s table than on the pitch. Owen is worth a lot when fit and I’m sure that Keegan will want to hold on to him for the next season and beyond and try to get him fit and hopefully sign a new contract, but it’s doubtful that United will offer him a contract that surpasses the wages of the top earners at Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and possibly Chelsea.
What’s more likely to happen? Newcastle will give Owen a new contract on the same terms as before and add a ‘get-out’ clause which will be high enough so that clubs will only consider it if he’s injury-free and banging in goals all season (otherwise I doubt that any other club will pay him 100k/week to play doctor). Walking away on a free is always a possibility but surely Owen has more class than that, especially after what the club have done for him in terms of looking after him?
In other news - no move for Saviola (it’s an old rumour that keeps popping up every summer, a bit like the Xavi rumour) and Keegan won’t let Milner go to Villa (again an old rumour that’s been going on for a couple of summers).
And congratulations to Coloccini and Gutierrez for a smashing start to the season. Rock on.
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A fit Michael Owen would be worth every penny of 140K a week.
It’s more likely however that he’s on 100k basic with performance related appearance money that would take him up to 140K
As for Saviola - this is one that actually makes sense.
Keegan has shown against Man Utd that his full frontal attacking style worked even against the best home defence in the country - all that was missing was the ability to put the ball in the net.
In the past Chelsea and Real Madrid have bought quality players not so much to use them, but to prevent other teams from using them.
Saviola is one of these players. Quality - but on the bench. Shouldn’t be too expensive and as a relative youngster would be prepared to move to show what he can do.
The story about Newcastle Bidding for Van Nistelrooy appears to be true.
With Newcastle’s connections to Real Madrid this is one I could believe
owen is only worth a py as you play contract.
his career has been a joke, cant belive how much teams pay for this man made of glass!!!??
Some paper talk is truly laughable. One week they say we are clamping down on wages and are trying to make Owen take a pay cut. The next week they say we are going to raise his wages.
If Owen does sign a new contract I’m sure it will be either on his current wages or less, certainly not more.