Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:23
Michael Owen will complete his shock move to Manchester United within 24 hours as long as he passes his final medical checks.
It is thought United will offer the former Real Madrid striker some kind of pay as you play deal and, with no transfer fee involved, it represents good business for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Owen still has hopes of making the England squad for next summer's World Cup finals and playing alongside Wayne Rooney will help that cause.
And the lure of playing for a top-four club, with the promise of Champions League football again, should excite Owen.
The striker's time at St James' Park was blighted by injury but he will see this move as a new beginning.
It is thought he will be taking a big pay cut from the £110,000 a week he was said to be on at Newcastle.
Hull and Stoke had registered their interest and Everton and Aston Villa were also linked.