Owen and Newcastle set for talks

England international striker Michael Owen is set to hold crunch talks with his club Newcastle United as his future rapidly rolls into uncertainty.

According to the British tabloid The Sun, Owen is going to hold talks with Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley over his contract.

Owen is currently paid 100,000 pounds per week but Mike Ashley, who has already confirmed that he shall have to trim down expenses, wants Owen to be happy with 80,000 pounds per week.

The bone of contention then is in the wage and Owen is no mood to buckle down. Although there have been no offers for Owen, should he indeed send in a transfer request, which it must be admitted doesn't look too probable, then there indeed would be a number of clubs flocking to his doorsteps.