The Daily Mail is reporting that Michael Owen’s advisers will re-open contract talks with Newcastle at the start of next week.
Michael Owen – Keegan keen to get him signed on
We know manager Kevin Keegan is more than keen on getting the Newcastle captain tied down to a new deal at the club.
The Daily Mail report is that the Newcastle club want Michael to take a base salary of around £80K/week, with the rest of his wages made up on how he does, and how the team do, in the seasons ahead.
The Daily Mail is saying this is a pay cut, but that’s not necessarily the case, but it will protect the club if Michael has a long term injury again.
His wages will be more based on pay for performance, probabaly on goals scored, where Newcastle sinifh in the league, and how we do in the cup competitions we enter.
We find nothing wrong with that, on either side of the negotiating table, especially since Michael is the Newcastle United captain, and he’s likely to stay that way.
Owen’s £110K/week current deal has still just less that 12 months to run, and Michael can do what Jonas Gutierrez did, and buy out his contract for around £5M, the wages he would be paid for the remaining year.
That is why the press is probably quoting Michael’s fee at that amount, should he not be able to reach an agreement with Newcastle United.
The 28-year-old’s representatives have been invited for only one round of talks with Newcastle officials next week, and we hope they can get the job done next week.
Of course, the Mail report is all about Michael wanting away, and that he will be put up for sale, and Manchester United are interested, and all the general nonsense that has followed Michael over these last few months.
It gets a little tiresome doesn’t it?
Owner Mike Ashley is trying to get a handle on the Newcastle wage bill, which is simply too high, based not only on the revenue the club brings in (it’s around 72% of revenues), but also on what he got last season for the 5th highest wage bill in the Premier league.
Mike didn’t get the 5th best performance from the Newcastle side, that’s for sure.
Most Newcastle fans will be hoping two things at the negotiations:
- Newcastle offer Michael a good deal, where he can at least make his previous wages if he and the team do well in the next few seasons
- Michael agrees the deal quickly – say before the end of next week
That will essentially be another signing for Newcastle, to go with the signings of Gutierrez, Taylor and young Danny Guthrie last night.
It could well turn out to be the best signing of all.
Comments welcome.
92 comments so far
Nick
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Comment #1they should get the whole squad on deals like this!
obaistheman
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Comment #2ed, players can only buy out the end of their contract if they are under 28
Andrew Whitaker
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Comment #3Totally agree Nick!
Punk Skunk
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Comment #4Wow!..The daily mail!..A veritable, nay, the proverbial font…(of all..)…
…How do they find out everything?..Like Jonas signing, err, Guthrie signing?..
…Funny how they could know the inner machinations of NUFC…
…THEY KNOW NADA!..
Cloudstrife
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Comment #5that’s a great way to negotiate contracts, especailly for someone like Owen who’s injured a lot. perfomance based. it’s a beaut. now Mickey just sign on the dotted line…
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Comment #6The Daily Mail though !!!!!!!
Performance related wage is a good idea but more difficult to implement to current players imo.
We’d have saved a fortune last season if this had been in place under BSA lol.
il capitano
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Comment #7i think what obaistheman said about the contract are correct, but i`m not sure if it`s 27 or 28. Anyway, Owen doesn`t have that oppurtinity..
Let`s hope Owen signs at least for 3 new years!
Hadrian
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Comment #8dail mail as your saource ed 🙁
altho the lack of spin they ut on it’s good 🙂
i think every player should be on performance related contracts anyway tbh .
Punk Skunk
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Comment #9Yes Oba fan 2!..
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Comment #10lol Punk 😀
Patrick
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Comment #11I’d not want to see MA wasting his money on someone only sitting in the gym room for the whole season. I am not saying MO is one of them, but this mode of contact can ensure the club’s financial situation is protected.
scott9
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Comment #12dnt care what we offer him just do woteva we can to make him sign his fitness is getting better now and he is by far our best player he makes the difference from us bein qaulity and average
kenneth
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Comment #13actually, under the webster ruling, any player can buy out the end of his contract.
if the contract was signed before the player’s 28 birthday, he has to serve out the first 3 years/seasons of his contract before doing so.
if the contract was signed after the player’s 28 birthday, he has to serve out only the first 2 years/seasons of his contract.
hope this clears things up.
from: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/status_transfer_en_25.pdf
phil
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Comment #14I would not trust the Daily Mail to get the day of the week right!!!! nevermind transfer talk of my club. Take no notice it’s absolute rubbish. Next headline will be Ashley in Neo Nazi shocker!!!! it’s all tabloid speculation. See NUFC.CO.UK to find out who we are signing.
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Comment #15What stadium’s on the top left of the banner?
Hadji
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Comment #16Obafan2….Stadium of light 🙂
Stop teasing Tom Toon for christ sake.
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Comment #17lol hi m8, how’s it going? you like the new signing?
Hadji
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:25 AM
Comment #18To be honest with you….I’M OVER THE MOON.
Seriously,i think he has a lot of potential and he’s very underrated.Just put it this way mate,if Cahil made it by coming from Milwall then why can’t Guthrie.In 3 years he’ll be our Lampard,and also he’ll also take over Lampard’s place in England squad.
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:32 AM
Comment #19I certainly hope you are right, tbh I don’t know that much about him but have seen mixed reviews with some regard him very highly.
Bolton seemed to like him and he comes from l’pool where he isn’t likely to figure in Benitez’s plans so looking good i think.
Oba's Mum
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:33 AM
Comment #20I saw KK with Owen at the chinese at around 9pm last night, so this one should be in the bag. Good news I had my doubts about owen and his motives, but am slowly starting to respect him more and more
rutehh8
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:37 AM
Comment #21I just read that Seedorf would be interested in a transfer to a premier league club. I surely wouldn’t mind him, although he’s old.
Joe
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:41 AM
Comment #22I’m a big fan of Guthrie. Not saying it purely coz we nabbed him like, but last season at Bolton he was the only player that shone…not difficult in a poor Bolton side but considering he was only 20! Give him time and he’ll be a true legend ticking all the boxes – aggressive, attacking, can pass and cross (Milner take note) and he’s quick. And he’s gonna love playing for us!
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:48 AM
Comment #23I’m liking the idea more of getting these young players in with potential to add to some that we already have. They should fit nicely around the more experienced and learn from the likes of Owen, Butt and others.
Also MA is starting to come across like one of the lads 🙂
Spyro
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:54 AM
Comment #24LOL @ Punk Skunk first comment
Spyro
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:56 AM
Comment #25Joe, as i said earlier, Guthrie is a decent player and will only improve, whether or not he does it here is to be seen though, hope so
Sav
Jul 12, 2008 at 2:14 AM
Comment #26Guthrie’s a great signing, I reckon. As Ed says, it shows we are sticking with a plan to recruit young, hungry players with potential.
Any plan is a novelty after Shepherd and Hall’s comedy duo.
It is also another signing executed without a whiff to the press (or other clubs) until it was done and dusted. That has to be a good thing, so KK’s omerta is paying off, too.
Hope Evans Inler and Derdiyok or their equivalents are still in Wise’s crosshairs, too. Keep up the good work, lads.
Piers
Jul 12, 2008 at 2:51 AM
Comment #27Hey Ed or anyone else who can help
I’m going to college next year…and like a few of the people on this site i’m American. Last year i watched all the football games at home on our Tv. However this upcoming year at college i will need to watch all the games online. I’m willing to pay and i have checked out the nufctv link on the website but I’m not sure if it streams the games live? Any suggestions?
Spyro
Jul 12, 2008 at 2:57 AM
Comment #28piers try EUROVOX
Yorkie Dave
Jul 12, 2008 at 3:08 AM
Comment #29Ed how do yo feel about working out if we can get enough people interested in buying 1% of our club. Ive got an email address sorted buysomeofthetoon@live.co.uk
I would be up for buying some of our club.
ObaFan2
Jul 12, 2008 at 3:08 AM
Comment #30piers, There should be plenty on-line but you’ll get the links usually on the day of the game. You will need a viewer like sopcast, which seems one of the most reliable.
Saturday ko at 3 pm are the least likely to be on tbh but you never know.
Paul
Jul 12, 2008 at 7:21 AM
Comment #31Piers try this m8, usually has links to most games:
http://www.freeviewfootball.com/tvplayerchat.html
Ericles
Jul 12, 2008 at 7:50 AM
Comment #32When did the Daily Mail reporters arrive on Tyneside to initiate such negotiations?
Geordie Gerrard7
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Comment #33does anyone realise that the daily mail is the best source of a newspaper? its stillnot great but speaks the most truth.
hey, hey, just had a look to see if we signed anyone, and i have to say, we have got a bargain if its true in guthrie(as in true i mean the 2m quoted). i want collicini larrson inler and rav the rat
Guinea Mag
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:22 AM
Comment #34Mike Ashley is a business man first and aware “Performance Related Wage’s” are the way forward; i.e. play each week + play well + score goals + team wins = £££££’s……
Owen’s 110K/week current deal has not been good value for NUFC although he did keep us in the PL last season with his goals and performances late on.
Sound idea to implement performance related wages but as ObaFan2 states, very difficult to implement with current players.
Hopefully we can get Alan Smith to change his contract based on number of goals scored!!!!
MAG PIE
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:24 AM
Comment #35If Owen is to be paid based partly on his goal return he will be asking himself – where will the chances come from? Jonas may supply decent crosses but we still need a creative CM. Then Owen might accept the deal. Come on MA – buy to save!
toonfan1
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Comment #36ed- i have created a league on fantasy premier league so that everyone here on this site can have a small competition to see who is the best fantasy manager. can you please put this code up so that all the visitors can then join the league! 122123-30675 – this is the code needed to join the NUFC Blog league after you have created your team! thanks ed
Graham
Jul 12, 2008 at 8:52 AM
Comment #37“The Daily Mail is reporting that Michael Owen’s advisers will re-open contract talks with Newcastle at the start of next week.”
Didn’t Owen say when he was wearing that silly suit at Royal Ascot that talks were ongoing then? was that not about a month ago?
Daily Mail bull
Nick Dryden
Jul 12, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Comment #38Excellent news. Pay as you play / performance related will get people out of the treatment room in double quick time. Who knows, Smith may even score one goal in a whole season. While not being thrilled with the Guthrie signing, I do like the way Ashley won’t be bullied by these overpaid, very well looked after ” slaves ” to quote Ronaldo – the king of hissy fits.
Fernando
Jul 12, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Comment #39As owen is an established england international i can see owen telling ma to piss off.
Angryman the Angry Fan
Jul 12, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Comment #40If i was Owen I would reject what they are offering out of immediately!!
Yes, he is over paid……irrelevant
Agreed he has been injured for best part of 2 seasons…..irrelevant
His goals having been as frequent as would be expected…..irrelevant.
The fact is, he is contracted on 110k a week. He is contracted for one more year on this. he has to be paid this for the next year of his contract.
If MY boss come up to me and said, your taking a pay cut and we’ll keep you on for the next three years, i would tel him that if his company wasnt cube shaped he’d be alot more comfortable when he shoved it up his A*se!!!
I know it is the ‘all Knowing Mail’ that has reported this, and it may be B*ll*cks, but hey, should it be true, anyone in their right mind would do what i would do.
If they are asking him to take a pay cut He WILL run down the last year of his contract, Move on a free, and most clubs in the prem would be able to afford his wages if they didnt have to pay an hefty transfer fee!!
ASHLEY the astute business man knows this and knows that he has his excuse to SELL Owen, with only a year remaining!!
This is my opinion before i get screamed and balled at “Ashley is god” “he is one of the boys”!!
Nope he is not, he never will be, he is a businessman! End of