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**Doink** · 08-31-2005, 07:56 AM

'Owen can leave for �12m in a year'
Wednesday August 31 2005

Newcastle persuaded Michael Owen to sign a four-year contract by giving him an escape route next summer, according to reports.
Owen was so reluctant to sign a long-term deal at a club with a history of instability and underachievement that Newcastle have apparently had to promise that he can leave after just a year.
The Independent claims that the magic figure that will trigger his release is just �12m.
The England striker was desperate to return to Liverpool, but they were understandably reluctant to pay twice the money they received from Real Madrid a year ago.
With Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea not interested, Owen's options were limited.
Now Owen will hope that the Reds or another big club will come up with �12m next summer to rescue him from Newcastle, if the deal does not work out, after they gave him the only option out of Madrid when they killed the market with their �17m bid.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle also assured Owen that Graeme Souness' future as manager is safe.
Owen himself claims that a combination of Alan Shearer, the Newcastle fans and the red carpet treatment persuaded him to join the club.
"I was uncertain that a Liverpool bid would be accepted in time and I wanted to play for a club who really wanted me," said Owen.
"My mind was made up, particularly when I thought back to the excellent meeting I had enjoyed with the Newcastle directors, management and Alan Shearer.
"We met the large Newcastle contingent at a grand country house, although I didn't know there were cameras in the bushes. The meeting went on for almost three hours and what was said made a very strong impression on me.
"Alan should work for the Newcastle tourist board when he finishes playing football.
"I will regard playing alongside him in his last season as an honour. He has been, and still is, a great striker and there is no way that Newcastle should be where they are in the table with that calibre of player."

This transfer gets wierder by the minute.

08-31-2005, 07:56 AM	#893
Doink Posts: 1,434	'Owen can leave for �12m in a year' Wednesday August 31 2005 Newcastle persuaded Michael Owen to sign a four-year contract by giving him an escape route next summer, according to reports. Owen was so reluctant to sign a long-term deal at a club with a history of instability and underachievement that Newcastle have apparently had to promise that he can leave after just a year. The Independent claims that the magic figure that will trigger his release is just �12m. The England striker was desperate to return to Liverpool, but they were understandably reluctant to pay twice the money they received from Real Madrid a year ago. With Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea not interested, Owen's options were limited. Now Owen will hope that the Reds or another big club will come up with �12m next summer to rescue him from Newcastle, if the deal does not work out, after they gave him the only option out of Madrid when they killed the market with their �17m bid. According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle also assured Owen that Graeme Souness' future as manager is safe. Owen himself claims that a combination of Alan Shearer, the Newcastle fans and the red carpet treatment persuaded him to join the club. "I was uncertain that a Liverpool bid would be accepted in time and I wanted to play for a club who really wanted me," said Owen. "My mind was made up, particularly when I thought back to the excellent meeting I had enjoyed with the Newcastle directors, management and Alan Shearer. "We met the large Newcastle contingent at a grand country house, although I didn't know there were cameras in the bushes. The meeting went on for almost three hours and what was said made a very strong impression on me. "Alan should work for the Newcastle tourist board when he finishes playing football. "I will regard playing alongside him in his last season as an honour. He has been, and still is, a great striker and there is no way that Newcastle should be where they are in the table with that calibre of player." This transfer gets wierder by the minute.