Last Updated: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:09
Aston Villa will battle it out with Everton for the services of Michael Owen, who is now available on a free transfer.
Owen is now out of contract at St James' Park and a free agent who can move on to anyone who takes his fancy. Hull and Stoke have both been linked but apparently neither are likely to land his signature as he does not fancy another season of relegation struggle.
According to the Independent the Owen camp are confident that the two clubs that finished directly behind the big four last season will make an offer.
Without a transfer fee both Everton and Villa could offer a hefty signing on deal but it remains to be seen who, if either, will be ready to offer the sort of wages he maybe after.
Owen will apparently also receive almost another half-a-million in wages from Newcastle over the coming 31 days because under the terms of his agreement he is entitled to another four weeks of his wages, thought to be £108,000 a week, unless he signs for another club on the same terms.