Newcastle United will miss out on Michael Owen should the England striker decide to leave Real Madrid in the close season.
For sources in Spain have told me that Owen is destined for Arsenal if he has not won a regular place at the Bernabeu Stadium by the end of the season.
The Chronicle revealed on October 26 that former United central defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has yet to kick a ball for Real Madrid following his £13.4m switch from St James' Park in August would not play for sixth months because of his thigh injury.
And that it "was touch and go" whether he would play at all this season, something which now, unfortunately for the cultured defender, looks like being the case.
And the same sources tell us that Owen would say "thank you but no thank you" should Graeme Souness come calling in the summer.
They say that Owen (pictured) has great respect for Souness and loves the passion of the Newcastle fans but that the little goal-scoring striker would be looking for a bigger club should he leave Real Madrid.
Souness caused more than a ripple last Tuesday night on his fans' phone-in when he said that Owen was the type of striker he will be looking for next season.
While it is now clear that Owen is going to be out of his reach, at least Souness is aiming high.
I still believe that Alan Shearer will retire as a player at the end of the season and that Patrick Kluivert still has a lot to do to make sure he is still at St James' Park in August.
But exactly who comes in will depend a lot on just how much United get for Craig Bellamy when they sell him in the summer.
