Michael Owen's future at Newcastle has been cast into further doubt with rumours circulating that both Everton and Liverpool will move for the striker in January.
According to News of the World, the Merseyside nemeses will approach Owen during the winter with a view to convincing the England hitman to complete a free transfer at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old was in and out of contract negotiations all summer long. The Toon at one point attempted to ease their cash-flow crisis by slashing 20 per cent off his wages, while later reports suggested a bumper £140,000-per-week deal was on the horizon.
But there have been no developments on that front in recent weeks, and with Tyneside in a catastrophic state following Kevin Keegan's scandalous departure it is unlikely Owen will commit to the club anytime soon.
Both Liverpool and Everton were linked with the former Real Madrid player late in the transfer window as tensions began to mount between Keegan and owner Mike Ashley at St James' Park, and their interest has only skyrocketed since.
It would be wholly unsurprising if Owen were to rejoin the Reds, having come close to doing so just a year after leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu.
And while factions of the Kop remain hostile towards their former favourite, manager Rafael Benitez's decision to re-sign an ageing Robbie Fowler in 2006 has set a precedent for fairytale homecomings.
According to News of the World, the Merseyside nemeses will approach Owen during the winter with a view to convincing the England hitman to complete a free transfer at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old was in and out of contract negotiations all summer long. The Toon at one point attempted to ease their cash-flow crisis by slashing 20 per cent off his wages, while later reports suggested a bumper £140,000-per-week deal was on the horizon.
But there have been no developments on that front in recent weeks, and with Tyneside in a catastrophic state following Kevin Keegan's scandalous departure it is unlikely Owen will commit to the club anytime soon.
Both Liverpool and Everton were linked with the former Real Madrid player late in the transfer window as tensions began to mount between Keegan and owner Mike Ashley at St James' Park, and their interest has only skyrocketed since.
It would be wholly unsurprising if Owen were to rejoin the Reds, having come close to doing so just a year after leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu.
And while factions of the Kop remain hostile towards their former favourite, manager Rafael Benitez's decision to re-sign an ageing Robbie Fowler in 2006 has set a precedent for fairytale homecomings.
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