Chris Mort hopes to open talks with Michael Owen in the coming weeks, while Guus Hiddink ends rumours linking him with Chelsea...
OWEN TO TALK FUTURE
Who? - Michael Owen
Where is he? - Newcastle United
What is he linked with? - A new contract
Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort is hoping to open negotiations over a new contract with Michael Owen in the coming weeks. Owen, who has bagged six goals in his last six games for the Magpies, will have one year remaining on his existing deal at the end of the campaign and Mort is hoping to secure his long-term future at the earliest possible opportunity. The England striker has endured an injury-ravaged three-year spell on Tyneside where he has started just 34 league games since a £16million arrival from Real Madrid. "We hope Michael will be around for a long time," Mort told the Newcastle Journal. "He has been very impressive this season, not just in terms of the goals he has scored, but also in the influence he has had on the dressing room and how hard he has worked for the team. I've seen the statistics and the amount of ground he covers in each game is remarkable. He is clearly somebody who is very important to us as a club and we believe he wants to stay with us as well. He was very unlucky with injuries when he first came to Newcastle, but he has proved his value to the side now that he is over those problems. It isn't just the chances he is creating and the goals he is scoring, he has had a very positive impact on the team and the dressing room as a captain as well and that's been just as important to us and the manager. He has been a really important figure and has had a big part to play as results have improved."
HIDDINK ENDS BLUES TALK
Who? - Guus Hiddink
Where is he? - Russia
Who is he linked with? - Chelsea
Guus Hiddink has moved to end speculation linking him with Chelsea after categorically denying fresh reports that he has been lined up to replace Avram Grant in the managerial hot-seat. The experienced Dutchman and current Russia coach has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge due to his links with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Fresh reports had claimed Hiddink would step down from Russia after this summer's Euro 2008 finals and be installed at Chelsea, with current coach Grant returning to a director of football role. However Hiddink, who has enjoyed World Cup success with Australia, the Netherlands and South Korea as well as having spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla, has now rubbished those claims. He told Dutch media: "It is total nonsense. I cannot help that my name is continually linked with Chelsea. Perhaps it is because their owner asked me about Russia. Possibly it is because of the links between my old club PSV and Chelsea."
HILL WOOD UNCERTAIN OVER FLAMINI
Who? - Mathieu Flamini
Where is he? - Arsenal
What is he linked with? - The exit door
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed his uncertainty surrounding the future of midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The France international is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of the campaign and has already been approached by Juventus over a free transfer switch to Italy. The Gunners claim they have "pushed the boat out" to keep the 24-year-old in north London, but Flamini's delay over putting pen to paper is leading to fears that his days as a Gunner are numbered. Flamini has been with Arsenal for four years, but has only been considered a first-team regular during the current campaign. "We have made what we think is a pretty generous offer and we are waiting to hear whether he will accept or not," said Hill-Wood. "You just don't know nowadays. You think players have a pretty good life, but, somehow, someone persuades them the grass might be greener somewhere else. So I don't know the answer. All I know is we think we have pushed the boat out."
MOYES HAILS PIENAAR DEAL
Who? - Steven Pienaar
Where is he? - Everton
Where will he stay? - Everton
Everton boss David Moyes believes Steven Pienaar will prove to be a bargain signing following his capture in a £2million transfer. The Toffees sealed the permanent signing of the on-loan Borussia Dortmund midfielder on Tuesday on a three-year contract. The 26-year-old South Africa international arrived at Goodison Park last summer and has scored twice in 37 appearances for the club. "In the middle part of the season we played really well, as did Steven, and I think we could see what he can do," Moyes told evertonTV. "That's what made us feel we wanted to bring him in and make sure it was permanent. We need to make the squad stronger, the age is right and the price is right as well. I am pleased we have got him signed. It's taken a little while to get it done and sorted. He was on loan for the year, we had a good chance to look at him and he did well in that time. Hopefully he will become a good addition to the squad. The fans have taken to him and rightly so, because he has done well."
CELTIC EYE VUKOJEVIC
Who? - Ognjen Vukojevic
Where is he? - Dinamo Zagreb
Who is he linked with? - Celtic
Celtic are running the rule over tough-tackling Croatian midlfielder Ognjen Vukojevic. The three-times capped international has been labelled 'Croatia's Rino Gattuso' and is highly rated around Europe. In fact, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are amongst a host of clubs linked with the 24 year-old. His current club Dinamo Zagreb are reported to value the player at £2 millon, although the wealth of interest could well see that price rise. Celtic fans will be able to find out just how good he is as Slaen Bilic is expected to use him in Euro 2008.
GERS CONSIDER O'CONNOR MOVE
Who? - Gary O'Connor
Where is he? - Birmingham City
Who is he linked with? - Rangers
Rangers have been linked with a possible summer move for Birmingham City striker Gary O'Connor. The Scottish international would certainly be looking to move should Birmingham get relegated to the English Championship and would happily return to Scotland. One problem is the deal that saw the player move to the Mid;ands from Lokomotiv Moscow last summer. Birmingham still owe half the total £2.7 million transfer fee, so any further move would complicate the situation even more. Also, O'Connor's agent Rudi Vata has played down the reports, stating: "No, I am not aware of anything regarding Rangers - that's news to me...Everything needs to be sorted out at Birmingham City first before we can even start to look at other clubs."
