Striker’s snub to Wearside

Jun 28 2009 by Luke Edwards, Sunday Sun

MICHAEL OWEN may be desperate to find a Premier League club following Newcastle United’s relegation to the Championship but not enough to look for a move to their fiercest rivals.

English football reacted with a mixture of surprise and mockery to the news Owen’s management company had produced a 32-page brochure to advertise the strengths of the England international.

The brochure has been sent to English teams the 29-year-old would consider signing for on a Bosman-style free transfer when his Newcastle contract expires next week, as well as to high-profile clubs in Italy and Spain.

However, it is understood Sunderland were not one of them, while Hull and Stoke City – the two clubs who have publicly confirmed their interest in the striker this summer – have also not received the glossy publication.

Owen would have signed a new contract at Newcastle if the Magpies had stayed in the top flight and Alan Shearer been appointed manager and, despite playing just 79 games in four years at St James’s Park the former European footballer of the year still insists he was happy at the club.

That may have some bearing on his decision not to consider a move to Wearside, although Owen still believes he can earn a move to a club playing European football next season with Everton – the club he supported as a boy – his preferred destination.

Not that Sunderland will be too disappointed.

Steve Bruce has never considered moving to sign Owen as a result of his poor injury record since a £16.5m move from Real Madrid and wage demands which, despite considerably less than the £105,000-a-week he earns with Newcastle, are still believed to be at least £50,000-a-week.