Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Magpies make Owen U-turn

31 Aug 2008 - 12:48:07

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Newcastle United have performed a dramatic U-turn and offered Michael Owen an improved three-year contract extension.

Owen, 28, has been linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United during the current transfer window after talks over extending his stay on Tyneside reportedly broke down.

The England striker was believed to be unhappy that the new deal on the table represented a pay cut.

Owen could leave St James' Park on a free transfer next summer when his present deal expires, but Magpies owner Mike Ashley is believed to have ordered the club to increase their offer in a bid to keep hold of the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker.

Meanwhile speaking after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan revealed he hopes to make significant moves in the transfer market before Monday's deadline.

On Friday, the Magpies saw an already thin squad stretched further by the £10million sale of James Milner to Aston Villa.

"I hope to do more business. We need three players in," he revealed.

"I have seven very good players and a few who could be in the future, but we need a couple more."