Aston Villa would have to make Michael Owen their highest paid player to have a chance of signing the striker, who is out of contract at Newcastle.
Villa manager Martin O'Neill refused to rule out the possibility of signing Owen this summer when asked about the England international during the January transfer window.
And he is expected to step up his bid to sign the injury-hit player, who was understood to be on a six-figure weekly wage at St James' Park.
Villa would be reluctant to pay that sort of figure for a player whose appearances for the Magpies have been severely restricted.
But they are understood to be willing to make him their top wage earner, ahead of the likes of Ashley Young.
O'Neill has lost the services of Gareth Barry to Manchester City and former captain Martin Laursen through his enforced retirement with a knee problem.
But a signing of the quality of Owen - for all his fitness doubts - would lift some of the doom and gloom amongst sections of Villa fans after Barry's departure.
The likes of Tottenham, Everton and Roma are also being linked with Owen.
O'Neill, when asked in January if he would be interested in signing Owen this summer, said: "We would see. Like everything else, football is evolving all the time.
"That's not to say Michael Owen is not a terrific footballer. What happens in the future, I don't know."




Comment 1 - 19 of 19
he is past it!a total liability !!
Owen is not coming to Villa he will be at WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS ALREADY A DONE DEAL
PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ MARTIN O NEIL TAKE THE MUPPET ON A FREE WE DONT WANT HIM HES A WASTE OF SPACE AND TAX PAYERS MONEY HES HAD IT THATS WHY HIS NICK NAME IS NOW SICK NOTE PMSL
This guy only had something like 2-3 SHOTS (not Goals-Shots!) on target since Shearer took over at Newcastle. As a Main striker that is simply abysmal - Bad Move for Villa this.
Steve (14) are you Owen's agent? You the only one who thinks his career isn't all but over.
Owen could well be a good buy for Villa a) he's a free agent, so no transfer fee. b) Yes his time at Newcastle hasn't been good. He needs a change of club and I believe he can get back to his best. He needs a good manager and a decent run of games.
At the end of the day, there is no doubting Owen's ability, he just needs to find his form again.
What is up with Martin O'Neill? Is he losing the plot. Signs one England has-been who spends more time on his backside than on his feet (Heskey) and is now after another who will spend most of his time in the treatment room!
…and just to prove what a mercenary money grabber he is…
Funny how it was all over the headlines of the local Newcastle newspapers that Owen has already signed with Roma. Be hard for Villa to sign him if it is true. Personaly I trusted the local papers for toon news than yahoo or the London media.
Let's face it. Owen is now over the hill and would not be worth anything like the amount of dosh AV would like to pay for him. Pension him off and let him play around with his horses. He has been coining in money for a few years by doing nothing.
terama119
yeah he is past his best , i dont think he is any good now
Owen should take any Premier League club that will have him. You will probably never get more than 10 goals a season out of him now anyway.
Newcastle were daft to sign him on such crazy wages, I hope Villa aren't about to do the same. That said, I think he did fairly well in the first half of last season, he scored quite a few goals although mostly of the 'consolation' variety.
He will be Villa's most expensive mascot they have ever had, hes worth about 25-30 million you think if he wanted to save his career he would go on a pay as you play contract for 10k a week he dont need the money thats for sure but greedy @#$% Owen is money mad and wond do anything like that Judas........
I'm not suprised Villa are after him. He did quite well for them the last time he played at Villa Park.
He was good. But injury`s and time have overtaken him. It`s time to admit, he`s not probably not Premiership class anymore.
I`d be very surprised if Villa took him on, even if he did take a substantial pay cut.
Whatever Owen is paid he isn't worth it. Apart from being always injured he isn't that effective any more. Liverpool and Real Madrid couldn't wait to get rid of him.
I cannot see this he has spent most of his time at newcastle in the sick room!!! a pay as you play deal would i think be the fairest way out of the toon or just retire and train your horses
£5,000,000 a year for doing what exactly??
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account