By ROB BEASLEY, 13/06/2009
MICHAEL OWEN has sent a glossy 34- page brochure about HIMSELF to eight Premier League clubs in a desperate attempt to find a new team for next season.
It is believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a player has produced his own prospectus to prompt a transfer.
The one-time golden boy of English football and former European Footballer of the Year has been reduced to hawking himself around after suffering the ignominy of relegation with Newcastle.
The brochure - circulated by Owen's management company Wasserman Media Group - has been sent to eight top-flight clubs, including Aston Villa, Everton, Portsmouth and West Ham.
In it, WMG boast about the benefits of signing the ex-England striker, his clean-cut image, commercial value and goalscoring prowess and include a medical report.
The brochure rivals any produced by top-end estate agents to advertise multi-million mansions.
Just imagine, folks - For Sale: A magnificent, luxury two-legged footballer, set on a picturesque plot in the North East of England.
Backs on to racecourse (at every opportunity). High maintenance, but must be seen to be appreciated. £80,000 per week, or nearest offer, subject to contract.
But WMG have dropped a brick in trying to allay fears about the 29-year-old's injury-prone record.
The sales details state Owen, who signed for Newcastle in a £16m move from Real Madrid four years ago, has appeared in 77 per cent of the Toon's games in the last two years.
But that's a bit of a sales clanger considering Mike Ashley's Magpies have suffered the shame of dropping out of the Premier League despite Owen's involvement.
Sam Rush, WMG's chief operating officer, explained the brochure, saying: "Although there's been interest from abroad, Michael told us he'd prefer to stay in the Prem.
"So after the season ended, we prepared a document showing all the information an interested club would require and this was circulated to a select group.
RELEGATED - Toon owner Mike Ashley
"We have provided a complete analysis of every Newcastle first-team game in the previous two years, knowing that Michael had appeared in 77 per cent of them.
"We also included a medical report and answers to frequently-asked questions, as well as a review of his commercial benefits and international name awareness.
"Our aim is to ensure Michael secures the most appropriate career move before the end of the transfer window."
Owen's current four-year £105,000-a-week Toon deal ends at the end of this month, so he would be available to any prospective buyer on a free. Everton, Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City are the leading contenders ready to offer Owen a fresh start.
But he has been dogged by hamstring and groin problems since he left Liverpool five years ago and has started just 58 league matches for Newcastle.
He was ruled out for five months after breaking his metatarsal in December 2005; then in June 2006 he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the World Cup and his knee was rebuilt by world-famous surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.
Horse-lover Owen makes no secret of the fact he wants to become a trainer and owner at his Cheshire stables when he hangs up his boots.
MICHAEL OWEN has sent a glossy 34- page brochure about HIMSELF to eight Premier League clubs in a desperate attempt to find a new team for next season.
It is believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a player has produced his own prospectus to prompt a transfer.
The one-time golden boy of English football and former European Footballer of the Year has been reduced to hawking himself around after suffering the ignominy of relegation with Newcastle.
The brochure - circulated by Owen's management company Wasserman Media Group - has been sent to eight top-flight clubs, including Aston Villa, Everton, Portsmouth and West Ham.
In it, WMG boast about the benefits of signing the ex-England striker, his clean-cut image, commercial value and goalscoring prowess and include a medical report.
The brochure rivals any produced by top-end estate agents to advertise multi-million mansions.
Just imagine, folks - For Sale: A magnificent, luxury two-legged footballer, set on a picturesque plot in the North East of England.
Backs on to racecourse (at every opportunity). High maintenance, but must be seen to be appreciated. £80,000 per week, or nearest offer, subject to contract.
But WMG have dropped a brick in trying to allay fears about the 29-year-old's injury-prone record.
The sales details state Owen, who signed for Newcastle in a £16m move from Real Madrid four years ago, has appeared in 77 per cent of the Toon's games in the last two years.
But that's a bit of a sales clanger considering Mike Ashley's Magpies have suffered the shame of dropping out of the Premier League despite Owen's involvement.
Sam Rush, WMG's chief operating officer, explained the brochure, saying: "Although there's been interest from abroad, Michael told us he'd prefer to stay in the Prem.
"So after the season ended, we prepared a document showing all the information an interested club would require and this was circulated to a select group.
RELEGATED - Toon owner Mike Ashley
"We have provided a complete analysis of every Newcastle first-team game in the previous two years, knowing that Michael had appeared in 77 per cent of them.
"We also included a medical report and answers to frequently-asked questions, as well as a review of his commercial benefits and international name awareness.
"Our aim is to ensure Michael secures the most appropriate career move before the end of the transfer window."
Owen's current four-year £105,000-a-week Toon deal ends at the end of this month, so he would be available to any prospective buyer on a free. Everton, Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City are the leading contenders ready to offer Owen a fresh start.
But he has been dogged by hamstring and groin problems since he left Liverpool five years ago and has started just 58 league matches for Newcastle.
He was ruled out for five months after breaking his metatarsal in December 2005; then in June 2006 he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the World Cup and his knee was rebuilt by world-famous surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.
Horse-lover Owen makes no secret of the fact he wants to become a trainer and owner at his Cheshire stables when he hangs up his boots.
