Owen forced to take £25k-a-week pay cut

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but has been offered a new three-year £80,000-a-week deal by Newcastle.

A Toon source told The Sun: “Michael has been made a very good offer. The ball’s in his court.”

Owen moved to Tyneside from Real Madrid for £17million in August 2005.