Michael Owen, who took a wage cut to move from Newcastle United to Manchester United, is reportedly having the difference in his pay packet made up by his old club until the end of July.

It was already public knowledge that Owen's contract included a clause obliging Newcastle to pay him for the month of July if he was unable to find a new club. now, according to local press reports, it seems the club is unable to move the former England striker off the wage bill for another three weeks despite his transfer to the Premier League champions.

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Meanwhile, the Drumaville group, ex-owners of Newcastle's local rivals Sunderland, have expressed an interest in buying the club from Mike Ashley.