Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 15 December 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Owen offered new Magpies contract
Newcastle have offered England Striker Michael Owen a new contract to extend his stay at St James' Park.

Owen's current deal in late summer of 2009 - when he could walk free from the Magpie.

The 29 years was 29 goals for Newcastle since joining the club from Real Madrid for € 17m in 2005.

Magpie manager Joe Kinnear has already said Owen will not be sold in the January transfer window - although I can not agree on the terms of a new contract.

Owen scored in Newcastle the 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday and after Kinnear said: "Michael knows I want him to stay and we will not accept any offer for him.

"There is no point in taking any money from Michael when he can score 15 or 20 goals a season for us."

It is understood the Magpie presented the terms of the agreement Owen and delegates are currently awaiting their response.

In addition to goalkeeper Steve Harper, midfielder Nicky Butt and striker Shola Ameobi, the former Liverpool striker is one of several Newcastle players who are not contract at the end of the season.

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.

Owen has already put his finger room "unrest" as the reason for the delay in the adoption of a new contract.

It reiterated its position on the issue earlier this month, told BBC Sport: "I have not spoken to the club about my contract, despite all the speculation in the newspapers.

"I can not do anything until I sit down and start negotiating."

After former manager Kevin Keegan's controversial exit in September, owner Mike Ashley Magpie put on sale but was unable to find a buyer.

"We had some meetings earlier in the season and things went well," said Owen.

"Then the manager left - as someone on board who we were negotiating with - negotiations have not resumed since."
by bbcnews.