Fa Barclaycard Premiership News( 18 December 2008 )
English Premiership football News
Kinnear optimistic Owen will stay
Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear is now more optimistic Michael Owen will sign a new contract at St James' Park.
Owen has been offered a three-year deal and Kinnear has already suggested that it might reject it and leave the club on a Bosman free transfer in summer.
But Kinnear has held further talks with the 29-year attacker and revealed: "I am more optimistic now having spent that time talking to him.
"We'll certainly know, I think that in the next two or three days."
Owen scored 29 goals for Newcastle since he joined Real Madrid from £ 17m in 2005 and remains a key player.
Kinnear insists the England striker will not be sold during the January transfer window - even if there is a risk Owen could walk free when his current contract expires at the end of the season.
"I spent about an hour with him a few days ago," said Kinnear.
"He had what I consider a very good offer, bringing Michael up to 32 or more.
"It is going to meet with his agent and come back with an answer."
Magpie midfielder Nicky Butt, striker Shola Ameobi and goalkeeper Steve Harper has also been offered new contracts and Kinnear hopes they will sign this week.
Kinnear said: "We hope to sign Nicky, and Shola is the same.
"Steve is the agent to talk to (owner) Mike Ashley, so I am very confident they will all sign.
"Nicky is happy. He wants to finish his career here.
"There is only Michael, really. We are giving him an extra few days to sort things, but I am more optimistic with Michael. "
Last week, I was not convinced to give Kinnear to persuade Owen to stay beyond the summer.
"I am quite confident all the others, but Michael is another kettle of fish," he said at the time.
by bbcnews
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