Michael Owen has warned in The Daily Mirror today that his contract negotiations with Newcastle will take time.
 Michael Owen- negotiating new deal with Newcastle
The club has began negotiating with Michael on his contract, which runs out next summer, and while most people expect Michael to finally sign along the dotted line, the sooner that’s done the better it will sit with Newcastle fans.
With only 12 months left on his current contract, the England striker and his agents have so far had a couple of meetings with Newcastle to work out a deal.
We believe that a lot of the potential compensation for Michael will be based on incentives for both Michael’s performances and the teams’ performances, and of course this is in the midst of Newcastle trying to cut their overall wage bill.
Owen is currently on something between £105K and £115K a week deal, and he would obviously like a similar wage packet for his new deal, even though he has missed lots of games for Newcastle over the last 3 seasons because of almost perpetual injury.
Owen admitted:
“We have been opening contract negotiations, there have been a couple of meetings so far, but it will take time.”
And Michael is struggling to make the first game of the season at Manchester United on August 17th as he continued:
“It is certainly not the ideal build-up.””
In the successful seasons in my career I have always had a good pre-season, and when not I have struggled a bit.”
That’s not good news since Michael hasn’t had any pre-season yet.
It would be nice to get the contract signed before that first game, but from what Michael says it doesn’t look likely.
But we think the club and Michael will sort this thing out - but it does seem to be taking a long time.
Comments welcome.
97 responses so far ↓
1 BennAllen // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:34
Most things at NUFC takes a lot of time these days.. maybe 3 points will take a long time coming..! COME ON ASH SPLASH THE CASH!
2 James // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:35
He will sign - plenty of time to sort this out.
GOMIS was at the game last night
QUARASMA is being linked to us today in all of the Portugal newspapers.
COLOCCINI lands at Newcastle this morning
3 chinzaknuk // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:35
Yeh!! 1st in
We need another proven goal scorer our present strikers are either crap or injury prone….well except Oba
4 chinzaknuk // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:35
poo missed it
5 WesToon // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:37
Thanx for those REALLY F-ING inspiring words little Michael…really positive stuff there you MUPPET
6 Black and White Blood // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:38
No play…..no pay, as simple as that!
If he doesn’t accept such an offer then he’s a greedy little arse, sell him and bring someone else in!
How can players (all players) expect to still be paid £115,000 + A WEEK, even when they don’t play, if I twist my ankle at work, and required time off I don’t get paid - WHY SHOULD THESE PRE-MADONNA’s expect something different..?
7 BennAllen // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:38
Totally agree black and white blood!!
8 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:39
james got any pics of this gomis at the game and a link to this portugese link.
9 NANDO // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:43
james- gomis wasnt at the game. youre a liar. quaresma would cost 20mill +. he would not even contemplate joining newcastle..
10 WesToon // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:43
any ideas where to get the highlights from last night Lads??
11 scottish mag // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:44
we have been linked to sammy kuffour, 32 yrs, cb formally of roma but joined ajax in jan but was released at end of season, its on sky sporst
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3944403,00.html
12 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:45
james how do you know about the portugese newspaper send me your link u bull shniter.
13 toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:45
heres the highlights:
http://www.psv.tv/index.php?item=if&content=player&ProductID=5918
14 scoundrel days // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:46
Big Willie blogger posted on Bobby Robson story that TWO SIGNINGS will be announced today.
Can anyone back this up and who they are?
Never thought I’d say this but… ‘Big Willie Where are ya?’
15 Macas // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:47
That Kuffour link is garbage, no way we will sign him.
16 Edd Case // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:47
James, Gomis was certainly NOT there last night.
Coloccini already landed and will be announced as a Toon player this afternoon.
17 Big Willie // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:48
TWO signings will be confirmed TODAY!
18 scottish mag // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:49
i was watching the streaming last night and when i came on there was everyone talking about this guy with dreadlocks, some of the names that were suggested wer
drenthe, gomis,
and others were saying that the YOUNG footballer was
rijkaard lol, gullit lol, bob marley lol,
i personally didnt see this man but if anyone else did WHO WAS IT??????????
also the director of the singapore based company steve mcmahon said he was only there to boost nufc profile throught the world or something
19 Toony Montana // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:49
James is right about Gomis, a few BBC 606′ers spotted him too, not sure about the Quaresma thing though!!
20 ourman // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:49
He gets on my nerves little Mickey Owen. He still has got a hell of a lot to prove. I think Ashley is right - with his injury record he can hardly expect to be earning the top wages we bought him on.
Offer him something reasonable and stick to our guns. If he signs, he signs.
In general, however, this year is a big year for him. He needs to show that he is worth keeping. He is the one with something to prove.
I still don’t think he is THAT good anymore. I’d love for us to sign a young, hungry striker before the deadline. If he proved himself then MO might not even find himself in the team.
Then I’m sure he might start being a little more reasonable regarding his wages.
21 Faustino // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:49
Black and White - If you get hurt at work and dont get sick pay you need a new contract mate.
22 scoundrel days // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:50
sources Big Willie?
don’t mean to be rude bud but you were right about Smith being left out the team last night but wrong on his move to Everton.
Spill the beans man!
23 MMNUFC // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:51
Who knows where the owen talks are at, but i will be disapointed if he does not show some loyalty to a club that stood by him for nearly 3 years worth of injuries on a 4 year contract.
24 Ivan // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:52
Hey guys check this out
even skysports know his squad no already.
http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,11678_198241,00.html
25 Big Willie // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:53
Smith is leaving
26 Steve T // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:53
Owen will be almost 30 when he’s contract is up and with the injuries he’s had can’t see him lasting past 33. Need to reduce his wages dramatically. Doubt he’d get 60k from any other team.
27 MMNUFC // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:53
i saw the lad with dreadlocks but have no clue who it was and i didnt ask him for a picture id.
28 Black and White Blood // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:53
Faustino - Yeah that’s true mate….
A max of 28 weeks statutary basic sick pay (£240 a month)….and then nothing…!
Something wrong with the set up!
29 sirjasontoon // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:55
I don’t think Owen is worth the money for what we get in return,no way is he worth either the fee or the wages.
Prefer a hungry fitter new striker…crouch and martins would have suited me.
30 scoundrel days // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:55
Ok so who are these 2 signings…?
One is obviously Coloccini
Who is the other ?
Big Willie is this from the training ground again?
31 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:55
big willie what signings will these be coloccini and…
and how do you know dont just say my source .
32 bigpeaovtheweab // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:56
GET RID OV HIM HES NOT WORTH A RAAA
33 antz // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:56
JAMES… WHERE DO YOU GET THIS INFORMATION REGARDING QUARESMA?
34 sirjasontoon // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:57
Was the guy with dreads not Lenny Kravitz?
35 hitman // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:57
if its true it was gomis at the game last night,it spells the end of smith or could it be owen
36 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:57
james is lying u ask him but he doesnt reply coz hes a bullshiter
37 Owen10 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:58
One would assume that the second signing would be the dredlocked charcter in the stands last night, be it Gomis, Drenthe or Urby Emanuelson…
38 Faustino // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:58
Until the club confirm I worry that we’ve achieved new heights of looking like we’ve singed a player when we haven’t.
39 Petey // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:59
owen now is just prooving his greed…..
i still say sell him.
oh and whoever it was tht mentioned quaesma…the guy is worth like 30million cus of a release clause. i doubt we will be going for him very much
40 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:00
a think big willie is trying to build our hopes up its not happeniing maybe coloccini but no one else hes a liar.
41 NANDO // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:01
haha owen10. drenthe? haha more chance of bob marley
42 Tom // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:02
Big Willie, who would you think the second signing would be? Just…speculate! Lol.
Might be Gomis, if it was in fact him in the box yesterday, or Drenthe, or the 17 year old london striker, depending on which rumour you see!! Lol.
43 Faustino // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:04
B & W - yes not quite the Owen contract we get is it…. you get the feeling if we put him on statutary he’d set Claims Direct on the club.
44 NE1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:04
Big Willie // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:48
TWO signings will be confirmed TODAY!
Who, when, how?
45 antz // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:05
it wont be drenthe, we dont need a left winger
46 Big Willie // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:06
As I posted yesterday (when I told you at 1pm that Smith would play no part in last nights game). A very reliable source from the training ground.
47 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:07
what your mate waitng for players to sign autographs outside the ground.
48 hitman // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:09
small willie: whos these 2 signings colo and bassong
49 Geordie Nick // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:09
drenthe plays lw or lb
50 toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:10
big willie- can you tell us the two players then? i think you are just bullshitting
51 Tom // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:10
Drenthe is also a left back is he not.
52 Owen10 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:10
Leeg- You have to give credit where it’s due, he said that Smith would not play last night and he did’nt, so lets just wait and see shall we?
53 toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:11
one could be drenthe as he may be shipped out on loan and he can play at left back. would be a decent loan signing.
54 Leeg123 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:11
toonfan1 you bullshit on bbc about moutinho so you can f off
55 toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:12
wtf i didnt write anything on moutinho. i dont even have a membership thing with 606 so u f off.
56 antz // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:14
they won’t announce bassong now, he’s already signed and played, he even came on last night so they wont be unveiling him once he’s played at st james
collicini and sum1 else, maybe gomis, can’t see us loaning a 21yr old from real to push another inexperienced left back in enrique, hes much more of an attacking wing back anyway which would take out a left winger
it could have been levi roots delivering some reggae reggae sauce!!
57 andyglostoon // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:14
now now girls remember young people read the site!
58 ACD // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:16
I would love it if we signed either gomis or drenthe ! gomis is the big target man we need and drenthe is a fast over lapping winger/leftback! either would be perfect for us !
hope you are right big willie !
59 toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:17
i apologize to all the young fans out there but leeg123 should not spout out accusations which i did not do.
60 hitman // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:18
antz that might be our new shirt sponsour reggae reggae.lol
61 Geordie Nick // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:18
antz- exactly, drenthe is an attackin lb, which fits keegnas style perfectly, and he wudnt be pushing enrique, he wud be first choice cos hes a lot better than enrique imo
62 AndyT // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:18
Could be two players - Collocini and Bassong
No official statement yet from the club on Collocini and the statement from Deportivo syas that the clubs have come to an agreement - the player still needs to sign on the dotted line.
Also the last statement from the club and from Metz about Bassong was again that the clubs had agreed fees, but that there was still paperwork to be done.
63 Tom // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:21
What sort of player is Gomis? Is he a target striker??
64 antz // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:24
tom - yes, he was supposed to be linked as the ‘new’ drogba last year, big and strong, but what i saw of him in the euros i would add, immobile and clumsy to that too
his hair looked far too heavy!! lol
although that was only in the 2 games i saw him play for them
65 Macas // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:27
Gomis is a big dummy
66 Macas // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:28
The 2 signings will be Coloccini and Bassong, don’t get excited
67 optomist // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:30
Whoever said they’d rather Crouch than Owen is an idiot. Lets remember Owen was the only Newcastle player to get into double figures last season, thats right - he scored more goals than your beloved Oba who can seem to do no wrong.
As far as a new contract, he’s salary would need to have conditions ie. injury as well as performance based.
68 toonaldinho // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:37
oba got double figures last season, remember reading something on nufc.co.uk, ..only player recently to score double figures in consecutive seasons…first season at the toon 17 goals, second season 10 goals
69 optomist // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:41
Well I don’t really count the Carling Cup. I guess it would be nice to at least have a good run in that though. My point is he’s probably our number one player, Michael Owen. and if Mike Ashleys a billionaire why does it matter so much to you if he’s on 100k a year or 80k?
70 51times // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:42
optomist - That’s very short sighted.
71 WesToon // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:42
@ toonfan1 // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:45
Cheers Mate
every1 should go & read what NANDO the f-ing muppet had to say about Sir Bobby!!!
Ban that idiot
72 timberhead toon // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:44
Optimist its quite easy HE DOES NOT DESERVE THAT STUPID AMOUNT OF MONEY.
73 optomist // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:48
most probably not. but if its the difference between a lacklustre mid table finish and relegation i’d be paying him.
74 Matt Lacey // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:51
optomist - Oba was misused by Allardyce, was away for the ACN and barely played by Keegan until the last few games of the season when we played 4-3-3, I think 10 goals is pretty good going considering all that!
75 Tom // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:52
Off topic but Nicky Shorey is having a medical at Villa today, according to SSN.
And apparently, on the newspaper rumours bit on SSN, Seb Larson is set to have ’showdown talks’ with Birmingham, as he wants to stay in the Premier League!
76 Cooper // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:54
Sammy kuffour - ghana international latest name - he’s out of contract at the min
77 mozza // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:55
intersting news on larson tom, as ii said yesterday if we dont snap him up we’ll live to regret it
78 toonaldinho // Aug 7, 2008 at 11:56
i cant see why he won’t take a pay cut coz apparently he been offered 80k a week (more than enough)but wants more…the greedy little cow droppings!, i’d be happy with £2,000 per week playing infront of the geordies!!
79 mozza // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:04
its grounhog day again rushed downstairs fired up the comp and bingo still no signings, come on man larson, inler, cisse etc sign them and get us excited about the new season
80 timberhead toon // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:06
Well nobody else will offer him 80k a week. And has anyone really been snuffing during this time of unrest. NO
81 Brian // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:28
He is doing the same thing he did at Liverpool, keeping everyone hanging on, and finally when it is to late he will be out of the door on a free, filling his pockets with even more money as he slams the door in our face’s. Sell him now if anyone puts in a half decent offer, before he leaves on a free. Buy a younger committed not always injured striker.
82 AndyNUFC // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:32
He’s a money grabbing little c*nt who’s completely overrated. How dare he think he can hold us to ransom, what he’s saying is that if we don’t give him the contract he wants then he wont play.
83 Midd12 // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:33
the lad at the game last night wasn’t Gomis, I dunno who it really was but he looked nowt like him, not that I’m bothered as Gomis really isn’t good enough.
84 xfer // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:40
Owen has NEVER scored 20 PL goals a season, not even with Liverpool.
85 Ericles // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:48
Has Owen actually spoken to the Mirror? Has he actually issued his “warning” in the Mirror? If he has he can cross Tyne Bridge and go. Surely he has not been commenting to the Mirror - a paper that recently has consistently berated NUFC, printed false information about NUFC, its players and fans. How can he talk to a paper that is so intent on destabilising our club? What is the truth. Len White, Ferdinand, Macdonald etc etc etc make Owen look like a wingeing puppy.
86 Tom // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:51
If he wants to go, then go. He’s not bigger than the club.
87 Toon Army // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:53
**** Off Owen you dont deserve what you get paid. I wish we would get rid of big name players like him living off previous reputation & go for people that actually still have the drive & determanation to do well in there careers.
88 reillers // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:55
That lad really needs to get over himself, greedy out. More money is it, for what sitting on the bench, being injured??
He wants more then between 105 and 115k?? He’s not that good. No player is bigger then the team, someone should remind him that. If he’s still not happy off he hops.
89 Tez131 // Aug 7, 2008 at 12:55
Heard a rumour we have been linked with David Healy for £1.5 mil
I think this would be a good move, sell Smith and get Healy. Healy can score goals and would not whinge about being a back-up to Owen and Martins.
I think it would be a great deal!! Especially as I am from Northern Ireland.
Anyone else heard this rumour?
90 ACD // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:13
Tez131
Its in the chronicle, saying we’re after him but i think its a load of bollocks as alan oliver wrote it ! He’s not a bad player but not the striker we’re looking for! we need a target man, someone who can play with their back to goal and hold up the play!
A viduka kind of player, just younger and less injury prone lol
91 Big Willie // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:13
Smith is having a medical at Everton today. Two signings expected to be announced by the club today.
92 Tez131 // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:16
@Big Willie
The two signings will be Bassong and Coliccini.
We have another player training with us but have not heard a name as yet. Do you have any news to confirm or rubbish this?
93 ACD // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:16
The mystery player at the game last night could be the player from boavista!
quote alan oliver …. Keegan still wants another couple of players in before the opener at Old Trafford.
He does have a player in from Boavista at the training ground, but he will not come into the reckoning
94 harrier // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:40
tez and everyone else - bassong has signed, he has had an article on nufc.co.uk saying that a fee was agreed, terms were agreed, and he passed a medical, and he had several articles of keegan saying what a good signing he was. He is signed. Done. Caput. His squad profile is on nufc.co.uk under players under number 46 if you need any more proof.
http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10278~41721,00.html
95 Tom_Toon // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:42
It was not Drenthe or Emanuelson as they are both in Beijing!
2 signings? Coloccini and Afellay i recon.
96 Punk Skunk // Aug 7, 2008 at 13:45
Drenthe is playing in the olympics…Right now!..
…Maybe he flew to china from SJP last night after signing for us?..Lol!..
97 Reb // Aug 7, 2008 at 21:18
I’m not sure where all the hate towards Owen is coming from. The lad is honest, says nothing more than “these things take time” and it becomes presumed truth that the issue is wages? It could be a myriad of things, or just the typical excruciating number of addendums and articles and subarticles to contracts worth millions of pounds. Plus, one would assume that Owen himself is rather busy with his training for the season.
Owen is worth what Newcastle have paid him — by some basic math that is approximately 8 million pound in total. The FA has paid his wages when he is out due to injuries received on England duty, a sum by itself more than 6 million. Do you not think avoiding relegation last season was worth 8 million? I think it was, and that doesn’t include the money brought into the club by Owen (PES ‘08, as one example).
I find it ironic that so many say Owen isn’t bigger than the club. The painful truth is…he is. He’s better known, better liked and better respected — especially outside of Britain — than Newcastle United Football Club. This is a player that will probably walk right back into the England squad — likely even the XI — and there’s not another of that quality or reputation at Newcastle currently.
It may not be something Geordies agree with, or like, but it’s true. Owen can be a major draw for the club, and I doubt he’s holding out for astronomical wages (which have risen in the papers from 80k when he signed to 115k now…the papers inflate every player’s wages, just look at recent estimates of Barton’s pay). It’s probably far more inane things like various clauses and rewards for cup matches/goals/appearances.
But honestly, why don’t we all try to avoid slating players still at the club, when it’s all based on paper speculation. All Owen said was that it takes time, not that there was any problems or specific hold-ups. Keegan still sounds confident of re-signing him, Owen sounds anxious for the start of the season…why the constant slagging off? Give the lad a break. He had a better goals per minute played ratio than Oba Martins, and scored more goals in total as well. Viduka’s fitness is even worse than Owen’s. The goals aren’t coming at all from the other “strikers” at the club. Owen earns every penny he’s paid, and is worth his weight for a club like Newcastle. Is it ridiculous that football clubs pay what they do? Yes. But the owners are all making even more off the clubs than the top-paid players…so why shouldn’t the players be remunerated in proportion to the amount of money they bring in for their employers?
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