TIGERS CHASE TOON STRIKER
But they'll only pay him £40k a week, £20k a game
Newcastle face huge Michael Owen bill | England striker and Mark Viduka are due extra £750,000 payout
England striker and Mark Viduka are due extra £750,000 payout
- MICHAEL OWEN FOR SALE | Newcastle striker sends clubs brochure about HIMSELF
- Hull want Kevin Nolan | Phil Brown in £2.5m bid for Newcastle midfielder
- Kevin Keegan is no Saint | Southampton need someone better than bitter boss
- Potters eye Habib Beye | Tony Pulis ready to bid £1m for Toon defender
- Sunderland go for Lomana LuaLua | Former Newcastle striker in line for shock Black Cats move
- CAR TROUBLE FOR DEREK LLAMBIAS
- PHIL BROWN WANTS ROMA THERAPY
HULL want to rescue Michael Owen from his nightmare at Newcastle.
The ambitious Tigers are ready to offer the fallen England striker:
- A basic £40,000-a-week deal;
- Another £20,000 for every game he plays;
- £10,000 for every goal he scores.
Hull bosses are prepared to give the 29-year-old hitman a one-year contract with the option of another 12 months if he plays at least 15 games next season.
And that could yet resurrect his ambitions of playing in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
Owen's £105,000-a-week contract at Newcastle is due to run out at the end of this month and his representatives sent out a glossy 32-page brochure 10 days ago to eight top-flight clubs to broker a deal.
And Hull, who successively fought off relegation on the final day of the season to stay in the Premier League, are ready to offer a lifeline to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid frontman.
Hull chairman Paul Duffen admitted: "We're interested in Michael Owen on the right terms. He's a fantastic footballer. He's had a few injury problems but we would have to be interested in him.
"If the right deal can be done then we would definitely be keen to sign him. We are an ambitious football club and we want to show that.
"It would be an enormous move for us but the deal can be done if it is on the right terms."
Owen has had four seasons at St James' Park but they have been wrecked by injury and internal turmoil.
So far there have been no takers and even though he can leave on a free transfer, no other clubs have come in for him.
Hull chiefs are aware of the huge benefits to the club that a big name like Owen could bring.
They insist the deal is for real and set a target of landing at least three high-quality strikers when they preserved their top-flight status.
Meanwhile, the takeover of the Toon moved a massive step closer on Friday night when two groups had £80million bids accepted. Two parties - one American influenced and one North East-led - have matched broker Seymour Pierce's valuation of the club.
A further £20m will have to be paid if Newcastle can get promoted back to the Premier League.
The identity of the groups remains so secret that even Mike Ashley - the owner set to lose £150m from his ill-fated two years in charge - does not even know who they are.
A source said: "It is getting very close but it is so sensitive that the identities have to remain secret.
"They have both proved they have the funding to take over and the process is speeding up. There could be a third or a fourth bid early this week, but those two are at the front."
A deal could be struck by the end of the week - but the club's wage bill will be slashed from £75m to £30m for Toon's debut in the Championship.
Obafemi Martins, on £4m a year, could be heading to either Hamburg or Schalke 04, and £3m-a-year Fabricio Coloccini could go to Sevilla. At least 10 other players will also go by August. The deals could bring in £12m.
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This article has 48 comments
As a Newcastle fan i say good ridance to him he has been nothing but a drain on the club i just hope a few more prima donas follow him out hte door.
By Peter Stewart.. Posted June 27 2009 at 8:02 PM.
michael owen will be back at LFC next season !!
one of the best strikers eva !
By mikeh.. Posted June 22 2009 at 9:12 PM.
THIS is a Joke? Right.. Michael Who. Please, lets resurrect Waggie, Chiltern, Houghton and Ian Butler, bout same level of skill I think and whole lot cheaper.
Just a thought
By Miami Tiger.. Posted June 22 2009 at 2:29 AM.
owen ...i bet e is owening money to the bookies lol.
By john.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:26 PM.
The deal is far too generous. Owen at one time really was the business, and given no injuries and good service could still do the business.
But - he's injury prone, and looks unfit, or at least not match-fit.
Hull shouldn't waste so much money on him - give him a contract where if he plays he gets 30k a week, and 10 for every goal he gets.
By John Ballard.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:31 PM.
memories!! what did he do at maggies to have anyone show interest in him....don't live in the past hull, he's finished.....good finisher in his day but he cant live with the pace and quality of todays defenders....good bye you greedy boy/man
By ricky broomfield.. Posted June 21 2009 at 9:16 PM.
i believe owen is determine 2 improve himself, put in his all, 2 get back is fame. if we can 4give him n give him a chance, i can bet u he has a minimum of 10 goals next season.
By TIJAH.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:56 PM.
micheal owen is not so popular these days he should hang up his boots one of the tops in his time but now a hanger on shame he didnt care for his fans only the money...
By patricia cocking.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:32 PM.
lets not forget this was more of a shotgun wedding between Owen and Newcastle - he wanted to come back to Liverpool - he came to see us firt, but we would not pay teh ridiculous price for him given what we had sold him for... Newcastle came in with a silly bid and Owen was forced to go to Newcastle, or sit on the Real bench for a season. He never even moved house - he flew by chopper to training and matches. we knew how to deal with his injuries at Liverpool and had a squad to not rush him back every week. Newcastle did not have that luxury and kept bringing him back or playing him when he was not ready - he has always needed handling with kids gloves. I feel sorry for him but he walked out on us when we needed him when we were uncertain what would happen after Houllier went. He always puts himself first. He will not play for a championship side as he will not feel it good enough for him. He left us when he saw is opportunity to play for real Madrid. Bet he wish he had stayed now after all it was us who won 4 1 against Madrid
By lea.. Posted June 21 2009 at 6:49 PM.
Whether owen is at newcastle or hull doesn't matter-you'll both be playing the real united next season.
By paul scollen.. Posted June 21 2009 at 3:14 PM.
they will not need you angus my boy : to advise mr owen, hes still a good footballer better than martins
who i also think is a good one, newcastle with out him would have 10 points worst off? think on.
By j wadey.. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:34 PM.
Michael Owen really has been the worse bit of business Newcastle did.
He is a testament to the managerial nouse of Keegan.
In the cold light placing faith in the likes of Keegan and now Shearer shows an illogical approach.
The deluded following the deluded.
By Disgruntled North Eastner.. Posted June 21 2009 at 2:11 PM.
Hull probably did not receive one of those
glossy 32-page brochures 10 days ago.
But Hull (of all top-flight clubs) are most probably Owen's best bet, bearing in mind that, to date, the eight 32-page brochures sent out by Owen (and the amazng and amusing fact that the brochure is available at all) have failed, it appears, to attract any interest from other top-flight clubs in and outside of the Premier League.
By vfc correia.. Posted June 21 2009 at 1:03 PM.
GREAT PICTURE, THOUGH IT SHOULD BE OWEN HIMSELF PULLING THAT CART THAT HE ARRIVED TO ASCOT IN. OH YES SORRY ITS A HORSE YOU NEED TO PULL IT NOT A DONKEY
By sue ribbons.. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:24 PM.
At least he's going to a bigger and better club!
By Swalls.. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:22 PM.
Autograph hunters are often extremely closed minded and inconsiderate, and expect people to act in a manner that suits them just because they are famous. Owen does a job and gets paid for it, he isn't obliged to be at teh beck and call of loser autograph hunters.
By oweniscool.. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:41 AM.
shouldnt the headline be "Hull rescue Newcastle from Michael Owen injury-doesnt care hell"?
By juniorchubbs.. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:33 AM.
blacknwhite - Slighty Bitter are we mate?
By tigerstillidie.. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:12 AM.
I witnessed a incident outside st james park involving owen and 2 young autograph hunters. Owen didnt even look at the 2 lads as he shut his jag door in their faces. Horrible person. He isnt wanted at st james'.
By Adam g.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:57 AM.
Owen still have a lot in him.The problem is just that he need a quality players around him and you will see he is still the best finisher in the PL.I hope he get a club from one of the big four and you will see he is a different class entirely.
By Adebayo.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:23 AM.
If he's only doing it for England which is doubtful why doesnt he sign for Darlington?? he would stand out a bomb in League 2 and bag the goals left right centre sure to catch the eye of Fabio Capello, plus he wouldnt have to move far, he's still close to the racecourse, and he doesnt even need that much money, from his time at liverpool real madrid n newcastle come on.
By Lucas Of Darlo.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:38 AM.
the way michael owen and his team played last season,if i,d have been like that at work i would have been sacked,i think we should stop spending to much money and bring in young local talent,there,s enough in the north east.
By kevin scott.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:09 AM.
i think this would be a big error 4 my loved tigers. thought they would of learnt their lesson after bullard.injury ridded pleyers are not the way 2 go, no matter how good they once was.........
By sean high.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:16 AM.
Ha he might aswell take a massive paycut and stay at Newcastle, Hull will get relegated next year anyway, fact. Bunch of no marks
By Andrew.. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:02 AM.
"Also, likely we will sign Brunt, Barnes, Nolan and Bojinov"
I'll drive Nolan down to Hull for you mate, no probs. Your welcome to him. Would you like Joey as well?
By ijjc.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:13 AM.
Finished waste of space/time/oxygen and he knows it so does cappello he will never get back in the england team.
By Dave.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:21 AM.
I still rate Michael very highly when he is fit. I would like to see City sign him.
By Chelsea Gonzalez.. Posted June 21 2009 at 9:08 AM.
Pretty much a goal every other game at Newcastle despite injury. Model footballer, nice fella. I think Newcastle fans should look at the real problem and not pick a scapegoat. All your players were rubbish last season not just him
By Harry.. Posted June 21 2009 at 9:33 AM.
the only good think owen did at newcastle was to turn on the christmas lights
By bob.. Posted June 21 2009 at 9:16 AM.
lets face it as a 1st class player,he is finished,sad but very true,in fact he is a long way down that slippery slope.
By barrie cooper.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:36 AM.
Owen does not need a big money deal. Instead of poncing around at Royal Ascot in a velvet suit he should be on the training pitch getting fit for next season. He should openly state he will stay at Newcastle for at least another season, take a massive pay cut to help the club and repay the faith Newcastle put in him. When I wake up I will realise this greedy sponging weasel will not do this.
By Mark Bourke.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:46 AM.
Michael Owen never showed any willingness to become associated with the fans, on or off the pitch. England were his priority from day one, the club and fans were last. The toon bought an inflated ego, injury prone, 'has been'. A mercenary of the worst kind who in the end missed countless sitters which could have a saved the club from the Championship. Good riddance !!
By blacknwhite.. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:38 AM.
Please take him and if you pay him that much you are stupid! He will more than likely demand a heli-landing pad as part of the deal.
Waste of money and 'captain' my black & white backside. There is more leadership skills in my left bum cheek.
Anyway I would worry about your defence not you attack force.
See you in the championship next season.
By Toon Graeme.. Posted June 21 2009 at 7:26 AM.
Owen is completely finished. He spends most of the season unfit, and when he does play he is largely uninvolved in team play. His finishing is also not what it once was, I saw him miss numerous sitters for Newcastle last season, in the few times he actually did play.
His best bet is to go to America and cash in his retirement fund. He is not good enough for premiership football anymore.
By ben.. Posted June 21 2009 at 5:47 AM.
Loves horses more than football thats why he loves being injuerd so he gets more time at his precious stables
By Danny.. Posted June 21 2009 at 5:32 AM.
Liverpool had the best days of owen since leaving he has been on a slippery slope a great player in his day maybe its time to call it a day and concentrate on his gee gees
By ossie.. Posted June 21 2009 at 5:01 AM.
Owen is finished and he knows it, how can anybody pay a basic salary of 40k per week for some one who has taken over for sick note Anderton, what a waste of good money, Hull would be better spending that sort of cash on more than one player and not on a has been. Owen is a liability and he can not stay fit for longer than one month.
By John.. Posted June 21 2009 at 4:23 AM.
Owen is finished as a top class player, and has been since his days at Real madrid. If he was still a top-drawer player then he would have never signed for a mickey mouse club like the mags. Sadly his injuries have cost him dear and surely should play a season in the championship for the likes of blackpool, peterboro,Scunthorpe or WBA to prove that he has what it takes as a marksman at the 2nd level
By Tom Ross.. Posted June 21 2009 at 2:58 AM.
The base salary is too high for a player who spends most of a season on the treatment table. Hull might like to take a punt, should sell a few shirts if nothing else. Owen has lost his dash and is now too slow for the prem. A once good rather than great player is no more, but still chasing a quid, a bit sad really.
By Kel.. Posted June 21 2009 at 4:04 AM.
No, No, Please, No,
Why recruit a destabilising factor into the team when players were released last season for just that reason.
It's not a good idea.
By Barry.. Posted June 21 2009 at 2:53 AM.
Connor, if you think signing Owen will make the "Prem a walkover" then you're an idiot.
This guy has just been paid £120,000 per week to captain a side. He led the 5th-highest paid squad in the league to an 18th-placed finish. Does that not have your alarm bells ringing?
This guy is a disaster, a mercenary who cares only for £-signs and not for football. Hull are emphatically better off steering clear and spending the millions on hard-working players who will give their all to stay in the Premier League.
By Andy.. Posted June 21 2009 at 1:22 AM.
I think he'll be good for Hull if only to sell a bunch of shirts. He'll get you goals if staying fit.
By Expat Yiddo.. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:50 AM.
shop around, you can't beat that offer....
By Alex.. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:12 AM.
If Michael Owen signs for us, I'll show my 4rse in Burtons window. No chance.
By Andy, Hull.. Posted June 20 2009 at 11:52 PM.
Can I offer my one way chauffer services to personally drive owen down to the KC stadium. Whatever team that gets owen must proceed with caution and personally 40,000 a week basic is too much for a player who is always on the treatment table and only wants to play for engerland! Well good riddance to owen and pleased to see the back of the worst and overpaid player in our history!!!
By angus.. Posted June 20 2009 at 11:45 PM.
As a newcastle fan i can assure the world than michael owen is finished. If he signs for Hull all we'll see is him chasing shadows. He should do the honourable thing and hang up his boots.
By dan s.. Posted June 20 2009 at 11:34 PM.
poor hull taking that past it waster
By Joseph.. Posted June 20 2009 at 11:33 PM.
Finally, something we've been looking for, maybe a player who has had his chances at the top level, but a proven goalscorer who when hes fit can grab 15 a season. Him and Fraizer up fornt will see us climb the Prem Dramatically. Also, likely we wil sign Brunt, Barnes, Nolan and Bojinov. The Prem will be a walkover if we sign right.
By Connor.. Posted June 20 2009 at 11:08 PM.