Could Michael Owen Really be Headed to Japan?

By: Laurie | May 13th, 2008

The EPL season is over. The new league champions have been crowned. What does this mean?

It means: Cue the latest round of rumors of disgruntled players looking to get a better deal elsewhere.

The most recent rumor? Frequently scoring, frequently injured striker Michael Owen from Newcastle to…Japan’s J-League?

Newcastle management are reportedly looking to cut costs, and one of the biggest cuts they’re looking at is Owen’s salary. The Daily Mail is reporting rumors that they want him to go from £120,000 a week to £80,000. And he is understandably not happy about that. (Because seriously. Who could live on £80,000 a week?)

Enter rumors of contact with Japanese club JEF United Chiba.

Nikkan Sports have reported that Chiba officials were preparing an initial approach and that contact had been made with Owen’s agent Tony Stephens.

Chiba’s Kentaro Shiga said: “The reports are not 100 percent off the mark. Owen’s name was one of those being talked about when the team were looking at possible targets.

“We are considering adding players to our squad when the transfer windows open this summer. However, we haven’t come to the point where we can name the possible candidates, including Owen.

Currently all of the rumors seem to be coming from Japan rather than Owen or his people, which may or may not mean anything.

Kevin Keegan, Newcastle’s manager, wants to hold onto him, but there is apparently some resistance coming from up above, as well as history of some past conflict between Owen (and/or his agent) and the Newcastle management. (Scroll down to the middle of the linked article, to the transcript of an interesting YouTube video.)

If you’re an MLS fan, here’s a great second rumor of this rumor article:

With each of the 14 teams in Major League Soccer allowed two players paid above the salary cap Owen could join England team-mate David Beckham at LA Galaxy, under former Chelsea and Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit.

Uh…yeah. That’s exactly how MLS Designated Player rules work. And the LA Galaxy don’t already have, through some creative stretching of the rules, three DPs currently on the roster. I’m quite certain they could figure out a way for Owen to fit in there, too. And the artificial turf in MLS is just what a frequently-injured twenty-eight-year-old needs to thrive.

(Hat tip to The Offside Rules. And you need to click on the link just to see the photo.)