Owen has two years left to run on his lucrative contract but manager Sam Allardyce, who is rumoured to be at the end of his patience with the England star, has come clean today and said he is not anxious to rush into negotiating an extension.
"The most important thing is that he's available for selection every week and we can control it.
"Whether that means we lose him at the end of the day or not is non-negotiable because if it happens it happens but we want to see him fit, playing and scoring on a regular basis."
Sam went to see Owen during the international break when England B played Albania at Turf Moor and the full team played Brazil at Wembley, hoping to get confirmation Owen would not leave during the transfer window. Confirmation he did not get.
Our "man from St James' Park" claims Allardyce was furious the striker was hanging on waiting for offers ... mainly from Anfield ... and no offer popped through the door.
The chips are down, Allardyce is obviously in a 'power struggle' with the England striker, and it is a battle he is determined to win!