The Daily Express is reporting today that Michael Owen has a gentleman’s agreement to sign for Manchester City in the summer.
Michael Owen – on way to Man City in summer?
Before we go any further with this story let us say we have no idea if this is true and it could well be made up, but this is what the Daily Express is reporting today.
The Express says that Owen has already held talks with Eastland club officials, including manager Mark Hughes, in the last few weeks, and he has reportedly told them he will join them in the summer, on the one condition they remain in the Premier League.
This story could be pure fantasy, and we would expect if it’s not true (or even if it is true) that Owen himself, or Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear, would comment on the story, but it’s obvious that Man City, now the richest club in the world, would be able to pay Owen even more than he’s even on at Newcastle United, in terms of wages, which is around around £105K/week.
And since Manchester City would have to pay no transfer fee for the England International striker, then Michael could look to get a sizable signing-on fee at City.
As we have said already, there is no way to know if this story is true, but if it is, it would appear that Michael is after the best deal he can get for himself, and he may value that higher than anything else.
One of the best ways to gauge whether this story is true is to see what reaction we get from both Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear and Michael himself, who is still after all, captain of Newcastle United.
If Michael has agreed a deal this quickly, it will not appear too good to the ever faithful Newcastle fans, although our chances of keeping Michael at the club seem slim at best, once he didn’t accept the offer made to him last month by the Tyneside club.
Michael currently has cost the Newcastle club about £1.3M for each of the 29 goals he has scored, so it’s hardly been a good deal from the club’s perspective.
But if Michael doesn’t want to stay at Newcastle it’s better that he leave, and we wouldn’t mind if he left in January, if truth be told, but it’s probably better for the club that he stay through the end of the season, and get that cost per goal down.
Comments welcome.
65 comments so far
Dan157
Jan 10, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Comment #1I really really hope this isn’t true. He is such a good player and i know owen will see potential at newcastle
dingo†®
Jan 10, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Comment #2what potential… a club in turmoil with most of our so called stars wanting away….
he sees a wall that he has to be more than savvy to climb over. He made his statement “ill stay till the end of the season”…. that means Ill leave on a free in the summer
Leo Smith
Jan 10, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Comment #3Best way to test a story’s credentials?
Are there any quotes?
Is there any actual evidence?
Is it a very obvious/easy story?
Is it from any sort of reputable source?
No, no, yes, no. This is made-up rubbish. Don’t believe a word of it.
Ed, when you create articles like this could you not state it like fact in the title? It’s quite misleading and gives off the impression that you’re extremely gullible which I hope you’re not.
Few more things – Hughes has said no offer for Given, the lawyer (wtf??)’s statement was of dubious origin, JFK’s said he’s staying whatever happens, and Given has always hinted/said he’s happy here. HE’S STAYING.
Don’t get me started on Owen. He likes it here, but he’s unsure the direction the club is going. If we invest OR do well this season he’ll stay, if not, he’ll think about other places. He’s one of the more intelligent footballers and isn’t driven by money. If he was he’d have jumped ship to Man City already, if not last summer!
Finally Ashley. He’s not stupid. He’s worth roughly £1bn and you don’t get that much from nothing being thick. He’s made mistakes sure, but he’s at least attempting to rectify them. Not fast enough imo but we are at least stable and know roughly where we stand. We complain about not knowing anything but has, say, Villa or Fulham said anything about tranfers? No.
I think it would do an awful lot of good to take people at face value. Everytime Ashley does something right he gets criticised for being “obvious” or something. He is the best thing to happen to our club leadership-wise in years. We’re sound financially and quite well run, but he’s made mistakes. Oh, and if anyone suggests that “how do we know the debt’s been cleared?” you’re fools – enough people and neutral people (eg Keith Harris) have said it so just accept it, applaud Ashley for it, scream at him to invest as he’s staying here whether you like it or not, and get behind the team.
HTL.
Zero Cool
Jan 10, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Comment #4And now you see what the English game has become. A man signs with a club, doesn’t justify his transfer fee, or his wages, and pisses off as soon as his contract is up. Good Riddance Owen, I hope your plane goes down on the way to eastlands
obamagic
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:06 AM
Comment #5if this is true, it speaks volumes about owen…one of the wealthiest footballers in the world yet still going for the money. absolutely no loyalty at all.
but i doubt this story is true since it lacks any sort of quotes or concrete evidence
ObaFan2
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:28 AM
Comment #6He has to remain injury free for the rest of the season…….. so doesn’t look like he’ll be going to City then !
Seriously though, if true he’s been a real let down and would show him as a money grabber.
Ed, don’t forget we got quite a few £million compo from the FA for injury he picked up whilst with England.
Sav
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:29 AM
Comment #7Whether iot is true or not, Owen has every right to go and if we vilify him for it in the next 4 months, we won’t get the best out of him.
His stint here has been a disaster but the guy is class and the club is a shambles now in all honesty. When we had the chance to rebuild a good side under Keegan, Ashley blew it. For reasons best known to himself, Joe has said Michael Owen does not belong in the deeper role Keegan successfully created for him and as long as our side is at the level it is, a more basic and direct striker may suit us just as well.
PDiddy
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:34 AM
Comment #8Its not true!
Why would he agree to a deal now?
He wants to keep his options open. He’s still hoping Liverfool offer him a contract. They did give Fowler another crack.
micepie
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:42 AM
Comment #9Although it’s extremely unlikely, has anyone even thought about the possibility than Man City could go down? They’ll probably finish top ten or better, but not necessarily. The weight of expectation could only be satisfied if they buy the right players, and if they don’t…
just a thought!
ginkoh
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:47 AM
Comment #10Let him go in January if he still don’t want to be here anymore. I don’t care anyone who don’t commit for the club, not only Owen but whoever they are.
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Jan 10, 2009 at 3:57 AM
Comment #11Dont think the money grabbing image you are portraying is true, Michael said he would take a wage cut if/when he signs a new deal.
SoCalBlue
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:13 AM
Comment #12Michael Owen is still a very good player however, this story is the usual “red top” rubbish. Fact is we need a player like Owen now, not in the summer. City will be spending millions in the summer and frankly, as good a player as he is, he is not what we will be looking for in the summer. Good luck to the toon this year.
City ’til I Die
Marcus
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:13 AM
Comment #13Can anyone really say that Owen has been a Newcastle player over the last 3 years? For me he has alway been biding his time to leave, has never shown any sort of loyalty and has never embraced the Geordie public!! When was the last time he ever spoke out about being a Newcastle player since his signing?? Never@!
Good riddance! We don’t need you and Yes…you are past it!!
ziad
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:16 AM
Comment #14I dont think hes leaving for the money (if he does) . Sadly Man Citeh are more likely to get honours than us …
Imo he has been very average for far too long . Of course he is a good finisher but for an NUFC captain his heart is not in it. He did not sign an extension! If the story is true good riddance!
ziad
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:20 AM
Comment #15If you look at our captaincy situation after Shearer it has been awful. Jenas , parker, Butt and now owen
We should make Shay permanent captain. He’s world class , loves the club and has been here for 10 years
Sydney_Toon
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:30 AM
Comment #16if we get relegated then he can go but he should understand the term ‘loyal’
seetow
Jan 10, 2009 at 4:40 AM
Comment #17wait wait, owen a gentleman? you must be having a laugh.
HABIB FOR CAPT!
M9lad
Jan 10, 2009 at 5:39 AM
Comment #18As a City fan I can only echo what my fellow blue has already said. We really could do with him now as our strikers are either too green , injured or just shite. What do you lads think would be a fair price? Either way, I wish you lads well, as your great support deserves as much long awaited success as ours does.
andyglostoon
Jan 10, 2009 at 6:14 AM
Comment #19nice to have decent opposing team fans on here .all the best city fans
Zangwill
Jan 10, 2009 at 6:40 AM
Comment #20This rumour is a fake
Shanghaitoon
Jan 10, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Comment #21Yes, its is good to see that there are some good objective fans from other teams who can make constructive comments on here. (unlike some that I shall not mention who just want to cause trouble). Good luck to City! I hope we both stay up!!
Guinea Mag
Jan 10, 2009 at 6:53 AM
Comment #22No point in trying to sell him in January as we need him to ensure we play PL football next season. PL survival this season is a priority…..
Sydney_Toon
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Comment #23GUYS FIRST TO REPORT THIS
Newcastle United are set to snap up free agent Peter Lovenkrands.
The Daily Mail says Lovenkrands is to join Newcastle. The 28-year-old has been released by Schalke and is expected on Tyneside on Monday.
Sydney_Toon
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:13 AM
Comment #24^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
David Craig u neva mentioned his name once nor did u say we are close to getting a winger/forward
valle
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Comment #25With the money City will have to spend, surely they will be after better players than Owen… Anyway, i dont care anymore. I think we should get rid of all those that want rid and then focus on playing and setting targets.
craig chisholm
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Comment #26who cares, i am sick of the owen saga.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Comment #27It seems the the Daily Express has taken over the mantle of The Mail for writing shite about NUFC. This is another attempt at anti-Geordie spite from the southern gutter press. Ignore it because we have to hammer West Ham this afternoon as a better alternative to the crap in the Express. About time Owen scored one or two is it not? Shay for captain too.
Real Mancs Are Blue
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Comment #28As has been so rightly said, In the summer we will be wanting better players than Owen (I hope ! although Hughes shows a distinct lack of ambition so it may be true), I seriously doubt this is true though, why on earth would Hughes make an agreement to bring a mediocre player in the next transfer window ??? surely we have bigger fish to fry in the summer than past-it sick notes, no offence to Newcastle , I think you should sell him now while you can still get money for him, it not like hes been prolific for you and he’d do us fine until the summer, Id rather have him than Bellamy/ Santa Cruz lets put it that way.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:48 AM
Comment #29I agree Real Mancs Are Blue. We both want better players than Owen. I also agree with the fact that City are Manchester’s real football team rather than the pretenders Manky U. No offence taken because you won’t get Given either marrer. By the way, after todays games we will be three points clear of you in the table. Have a good day.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Comment #30An interesting development Sydney-Toon if it is true. I think Lovenkrands would fit well on Tyneside, after all he has skill and experience to help bring on our youngsters. I quite hope Riise comes too for the same reasons. If Owen does not agree to the tabled contract offer then I agree with others – sell him off quick. We will know then that his colours are not black and white.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Comment #31Lovenkrands is at a good age too and would be useful as he can play as a winger and up front. He has stated that he would like to return to Rangers as well. Someone should tell him NUFC are just down the road and playing in a better league too. Any more on the investigation into Zog’s “opinions”?
AO
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Comment #32The reporter is probably a west ham fan who is trying to get you to turn on him during the match. dont fall for it and please stuff those hammers.
Nick
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Comment #33I’m now so sick of Owen. Just get rid.
I’m also really upset we are going after has beens and never wassers like Beattie and Lowenkrands.
How much more refreshing and exciting it would be to watch Lua Lua and Ranger.But no, Joke doesn’t trust youngsters apart from Bassong and the ineffective Carroll who just gets a game becasue he’s 7 foot and that’s how Joke likes to play.
We desperately need a van Gall type to create a vibrant footballing team and develop a very strong youth culture.
Kinnear is the worst appointment we could ever have made. Dark age dinosaur moulding another Wimbledon. It stinks.
Nick
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Comment #34ericles saying that is the kiss of death !!!
Real Mancs Are Blue
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Comment #35Thanks Ericle ! enjoy it while you can because, like us, you are in freefall. The only difference being we can buy any player in the world come the summer time while you will be desperately trying to cling on to has-beens like Owen : )
You can keep Given he would have only have been a stop-gap anyway at his age and I have a feeling your going to need him more than we will
Enjoy the game
AussieToon
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Comment #36I hope your rumor is true Sydney-Toon, my fellow Australian Geordie! 😀
I also agree with Ericles that getting some experience like Lovenkrands and Riise would help the squad stave off relegation. We don’t need to get rid of any players, just get some experience and quality in for the fight of our lives.
If we can nab four or five of these types of good quality, cheap buys to add to our squad, I will be happy come February.
We need to see something done, I don’t want to see us in the championship next year.
AO
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Comment #37realmancs areblue- Mancity are and always will be a joke. When abramovich bought chavski and started splashing the cash he at least bought quality. You are looking to spend around 70 mill on cruz,bellamy,parker,given and bridge. You will attract players after a good wage packet but the majority of players will snub you as you are only the second club in manchester. Enjoy the next few years and make the most of them as once the sheiks get bored you will be left without a club.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Comment #38I know it will not happen. I would like to see both Owen and Zog on the pitch with microphones in their hands to answer questions from the crowd. In other words tell us, the fans, what is really going on and what they really want to do. Those outside the ground can hang their agents from the lamp-posts.
Real Mancs Are Blue
Jan 10, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Comment #39AO, they are called stop-gap players, proven premiership players who will help us stay up after a shambolic season so far, it doesnt matter what we pay them because money is no object.
How someone who supports a club that would have a magpie as manager so long as it cheeped in a Geordie accent can call City a joke is quite amusing. Still waiting for the third coming of ‘the messiah’ lol.
Ericles
Jan 10, 2009 at 9:02 AM
Comment #40Do you live in Hanky Park Real Mancs Are Blue?
Is that the place that was knocked down and left 13 pubs still standing? Have you seen the Arthur Askey film about the train driver who was a City fan as well? Will await your opinion at 4.45pm today.