Martin O'Neill has denied reports that out of contract Newcastle striker Michael Owen has been offered a two-year deal by Aston Villa.
O'Neill is known to be an admirer of the England striker despite the 29-year-old having been hit by a succession of injuries in recent years. But the Villa manager, who is currently on holiday, has played down suggestions that the club have already made an offer to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star.
Villa issued a statement on their official website which reads: "Martin O'Neill has dismissed stories suggesting Villa have offered Michael Owen a two-year contract."
It continued: "O'Neill has hit back after newspaper reports suggested the club were ready to hand the England striker almost £3million per season - with a further 12 month option dependent on injuries and goals."
Owen is set to reduce his wage demands after commanding a six figure salary at St James' Park.
But Villa would have to make him their highest paid player ahead of the likes of Ashley Young and Gareth Barry - before his move to Manchester City - to have a chance of signing Owen.
Owen finished as Newcastle's leading scorer last season with 10 goals but his absence for lengthy periods was a key factor in them being relegated from the Barclays Premier League as they missed his predatory instincts in front of goal.
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and john the only person to blame for playing him instead of carroll is the manager cos he picks the team
john i typed u a reply but it was invalid for some reason but it said it wasn't cos he was at newcastle he didn't try it was cos he had his money to easy.ur best player was bassong one of the ones with the least wages
heslop, You dont honestly believe he never really bothered because it was Newcastle do you, those are the sort of comments I expect from impactclean and safcscum the expert wind up merchant, but I had you down as better than that. Owen had all the chances possible to score goals, he was just always injured. When he was fit he banged them in but he spent a large portion of his NUFC career on the sidelines. Last season he scored almost all of his goals in the first of it, it was the same service he got for the second half.
He knew long before the Jan transfer window he wanted to go at the end of the season. He stalled over signing on and said he had no plans but he stayed to get a free and cash in. When the window closed he switched off completely and in most games was our worste player. If he had been honest he could of left and we could have replaced him with someone who gave a shyte or played Carroll who may have got 4/5 goals more and maybe kept us up.
I suppose what I am saying is, he's a quality footballer but very injury prone and motivated by money more than anything else and will be exactly the same at his next club.
john, owen will go somewhere and score goals if he is given the chances he needs.He never really bothered himself at newcastle cos he was getting massive wages even if he didn't play if someone offers him 50k a week plus a bonus for number of games played and goals scored he'll score 15-20 a season.He of course will need a good supply which all strikers need ur problems last yr stem from ur pedestrian midfield who were frightened to push forward cos they didn't have the legs to get back when they lost the ball
michael owen is a first class player,nufc as usual will blame him even though he did an excellent job for them,typical.
heslop comment 1, I'm with you on that one. Owen, Smith and Bramble, let Brucies revolution begin, the top four will be shyting themselves.
Yeah Michael go to the black cats and all the north east teams will be in the championship 2010/2011 season. 10 goals a season is a real help, useless overpaid lazy scouser.
Yes michael, please do and i'll drive you there myself!
Injuries are part of the game and acceptable; what is not acceptable however is giving less than 100% - you are guilty as charged Mr Owen.
Owen predatory!!! Sorry but he's had all the predatory instincts of a lost sheep this season for Newcastle United. Overpaid...Overhyped...Overvalued load of tosh! Good riddance!
A complete has been still living off his name from years back. He should stick to horses where its obvious his commitment is now he has broken Darren Andertons record for sick notes. Any club that signs him should be on a low wage pay per game with a big bonus if he reachs 35 games or more. If he wont sign for that then dont bother with him.
think he'd play alright along side Jones,come on Michael come to the only premiership team in the north east and join the Quinn revolution
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