Owen saga may break Toon peace

May 11 2008

by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

MIKE ASHLEY and Kevin Keegan have settled their differences — but their brittle peace-pact may be undermined by a stand-off over Michael Owen’s wages. Keegan was summoned to talks with Ashley on Friday, after suggesting Newcastle are a “million miles” from the Premier League’s Big Four. But the Sunday Sun has been told that most of the London showdown revolved around Keegan’s desire to hang on to Owen, pictured left. The England international has a year left on his contract and though the United boss has stressed that extending his captain’s deal must be the club’s top priority — at all costs — this summer, talks have yet to reach an agreement. And it is now understood Ashley told Keegan on Friday that Owen must take a pay-cut on any new deal . . . or face being sold this summer. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Owen is unlikely to accept the former, while the latter option would enrage Keegan, though a compromise deal where Owen is offered half of the four-year contract his advisers are looking for, could be negotiated. Meanwhile, United are reported to be weighing up a £15 million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.

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