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Transfers - Michael Owen: The full saga

Eurosport - Mon, 29 Jun 18:16:00 2009

Follow the chain of events that saw Michael Owen linked to a host of clubs after he left Newcastle following their relegation.

2008-2009 Newcastle United Michael Owen - 0

December 14, 2008 - Michael Owen denies that he has rejected a new contract as reports link him to Wigan. Owen: "None of us have been offered a contract so there are no bad guys here, I've not refused anything."

December 15, 2008 - Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear says he will offer Owen a new deal: "I will fight like hell to keep him. I don't see any point taking money for Michael Owen. I would rather have him in my team scoring goals than any amount of cash."

December 22, 2008 - Owen admits that he will not make a decision about his future until the end of the season: "I am committed to the club until at least the end of this season, and I have informed them I do not want to make a decision about my future until that time."

January 2, 2009 - Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho denies that Owen will join the club in the January transfer window. Mourinho: "I never thought of him. Over the last year he has had lots of major injuries and now he is not the Owen we knew."

January 28, 2009 - Martin O'Neill admits that he could bring Owen to Aston Villa. O'Neill: "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."

May 15, 2009 - Reports suggest that Michael Owen will retire from football at the end of the season. Owen: "Any suggestion or unfounded speculation that I have any intention of quitting football is totally untrue and wrong."

May 24, 2009 - Newcastle United lose 1-0 to Aston Villa, condemning them to relegation to the Championship. Owen's contract expires.

May 25, 2009 - Villa defender Curtis Davies urges the club to sign Owen. Davies: "I'd love to see him here at Villa if that was an opportunity, although at the same time there will be other clubs sniffing around him. People will say about his wages but, if you are getting him on a free transfer, it offsets that."

June 2, 2009 - Reports suggest Everton manager David Moyes is keen to sign Owen, with a £50,000 a week contract being prepared.

June 8, 2009 - Villa are reported to be interested in making Owen their highest-paid player with a £50,000 weekly wage.

June 9, 2009 - Villa dismiss the above reports without discounting a move for Owen

June 14, 2009 - Wasserman Media Group send a 34-page dossier to clubs outlining Michael Owen's attributes, achievements, playing and fitness record and requirements.

June 17, 2009 - Wigan chief Dave Whelan denies making a bid for Owen, saying his wages are too high while questioning his motivation and injury record.

June 22, 2009 - Hull City boss Phil Brown admits he is interested in taking Owen to the KC Stadium.

June 22, 2009 - Owen says: "I'm still a Newcastle United player but only for a matter of weeks."

June 24, 2009 - Stoke boss Tony Pulis admits he would be "interested in throwing my hat into the ring if it was ever viable". He adds: "He would be a great signing for this football club and he can rest assured our fans would treat him as one of their own."

June 25, 2009 - Stoke chairman Peter Coates says he would be interested in signing Owen but is unsure about his wages and injury record.

June 26, 2009 - Owen is linked with a move to Turkey, with Galatasaray boss Frank Rijkaard reportedly keen on reuniting him with former Liverpool team-mate Harry Kewell.

June 29, 2009 - Olympiacos reportedly enter the bidding for Owen, with a £60,000-a-week offer hugely out-gunning Hull and Stoke's spending power.

Eurosport

Comment 37 - 56 of 96

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  1. michael owen is one of the best player.he must go to­ liverpool.

    From berdoowen, on Sat 27 Jun 11:19AM
  2. ronthecoolone
    Erm Ron, who gave you that nickname?
    Tell­ you what, i got a better one for you­ mate:
    ronthed-ickh-ead

    From cameron w, on Fri 26 Jun 11:29PM
  3. upthevilla,
    I'm sorry but i haven't the­ slightest idea of what you are talking about -­ honestly, i don't!
    Who are you anyway?

    From cameron w, on Fri 26 Jun 11:24PM
  4. @#$% OFF OWEN!

    From Charles, on Fri 26 Jun 3:34PM
  5. comment 51, load of bollix from the first word to the­ last

    From john.connolly01, on Fri 26 Jun 1:06PM
  6. Why he ever moved to NU is a mystery. Unfortunately­ when you play for a @#$% club with @#$% players you­ become one yourself. A striker feeds off the res of his­ team but unfortunately the NU side which was/is full of­ thugs, hasbeens and bit part players were not good­ enough to give a quality striker that sort of support.­ Given the right team that will play to his strenghts he­ will still be a potent force ... once a quality striker­ always a quality striker. I would much rather see a a­ stable, down to earth Owen in team than that preening­ ponce Ronaldo!

    From Ron, on Fri 26 Jun 11:04AM
  7. good luck to anyone who takes owen on, at least the­ bench will be warm.

    70 to 80 k a week is fair for a­ bench warmer i think..viduka can warm the other end..

    From S, on Wed 24 Jun 7:58PM
  8. Having seen how Owen played last season, I felt he had­ lost a lot of his ability and just wasn't­ committed. Frankly there are a lot of more able,­ enthusiastic and committed players in the lower­ divisions. Many older players used to finish their­ careers with dignity in the lower leagues, passing on­ the benefits of their experience to younger rising­ stars. However, I can't see Owen breaking into the­ first team now at Macclesfield Town or Chester City,­ let alone at a Premier League club.

    From Dad, on Wed 24 Jun 2:56PM
  9. well one thing is for sure newcastle will be with good­ company next season, cilla black and chubby brown at­ blackpool

    From william l, on Wed 24 Jun 1:40PM
  10. well one thing is for sure newcastle will be with good­ company next season, cilla black and chubby brown at­ blackpool

    From william l, on Wed 24 Jun 1:31PM
  11. Quote "I'm still a Newcastle United­ player....." indeed, with your 100k a week and the­ helicopter taxi into training from your Cheshire­ stables....I did see him tug the club badge on his­ shirt once or was he just checking he hadn't­ dropped his wallet. Owen get out and take Barton and­ some of the other money grabbing dross with you.­ Here' s hoping that we get a level headed owner and­ Shearer get's an opportunity to put something back­ into the club that he's taken plenty out of in the­ past. For all the hype and press attention (for the­ wrong reasons) basically the club has been taking the­ **** out of it's solid fan base for decades.

    From jkukhome, on Wed 24 Jun 10:48AM
  12. if MR ASHLEY is selling the toon , i'll give him a­ quid & a set of darts. AT LEAST THEY WILL HAVE 3­ POINTS. yours in sport brian from skegness

    From brian29755, on Tue 23 Jun 8:42AM
  13. its amazing... newcastle players take them down to the­ championship, but still reckon they are premiership­ class. who would want to buy this bunch of failures.­ they cant even say sorry & stay and fight for the­ cause. as for mr owen (sick note the second ) he should­ hang his boots up & go clean his horse ????. yours­ in sport from brian skegness

    From brian29755, on Tue 23 Jun 8:38AM
  14. Owen could do worse than go to Burnley on a pay as you­ play deal.

    From JEFFREY, on Mon 22 Jun 7:50PM
  15. Sooner he goes the better, dirty little mercenary !!!!

    From brett, on Mon 22 Jun 4:19PM
  16. waste off time waste off space just go owen

    From raymondevans2, on Wed 17 Jun 10:19PM
  17. cameron w, have i hit a nerve, i was on this page­ because it came up on the villa side also, that why i­ commented, i have only stated facts! you seem to come­ out with things you cant back up, despicable set of­ fans! we have one of the best set of fans in the prem,­ we dont kick off out side our own ground every time we­ get beat calling for the managers head, now get back to­ your councal house and get a job you geordie scum.

    From upthevilla, on Wed 17 Jun 4:08PM
  18. Only in geordieland could a money grabbing gambler (ex­ footballer) have taken a big club to the cleaners,­ earning £100K a week whilst building a horse breeding­ and racing stables in cheshire! You guys really need to­ check the beer-guzzling and get smart!

    From sanchez.santos, on Wed 17 Jun 3:32PM
  19. Michael Owen "Captain "of Newcastle ?
    Never­ gave interviews,never mixed with other players,
    never­ visited a local sick kids in hospital,
    Never missed­ Cheltenham though!!!!
    He could`nt hit a barn door with­ a spacehopper !

    From oldgeorgemichael, on Wed 17 Jun 12:31PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    upthevilla
    Just tell me, why do you keep accessing­ these pages!
    villa to struggle big time next season -­ despicable set of fans!

    From cameron w, on Wed 17 Jun 12:07PM
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