Magpies reveal Owen no longer has a buy-out clause - and Big Sam wants him to stay - Sport

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Owen joined United from Real Madrid for £17million in August 2005 but his career on Tyneside has been blighted by injury so far.

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Staying together: Allardyce and Owen

There has been recent speculation about Owen's future, with Manchester City the latest club to be linked with the 27-year-old, but Magpies chairman Mort claims there is no chance he could leave on the cheap.

He said: "There was a clause in Michael's contract which allowed him to leave for a certain fee during the last transfer window and the summer before that as well, but that sort of clause does not exist any longer."

Owen has two years left to run on his lucrative contract but manager Allardyce not anxious to rush into negotiating an extension.

Allardyce said: "I'd like to see him fit for the next 20 games on the trot or more and then enter into a new contract.

"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."