Michael Owen has been offered a new contract by Newcastle United with his current deal running out next summer.

The England international, who was on the score sheet for the Magpies at the weekend away to Portsmouth, has been with the North East club since joining from Real Madrid in 2005 and manager Joe Kinnear is keen to keep him at the club.

After the 3 – 0 win at Pompey Kinnear said:

Michael knows I want him to stay and we won’t be accepting any offers for him.

There is no point in taking any money for Michael when he can score 15 or 20 goals a season for us.

It is understood the Magpies have presented the terms of the deal to Owen’s representatives and are now awaiting their response.

Meanwhile Inter Milan have described reports linking them with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as ‘media speculation’.

Drogba was alleged to have met Inter officials last month and was also understood to be unhappy after injuries and suspensions interrupted his season and a regular first team starting place.

But speaking to the club’s official website, Inter’s sporting director Marco Branca said:

There’s no Drogba dream. Inter already have numerous strikers that cover every role.

Drogba has been at Chelsea for many years and is doing well there. We have our strikers that are also doing well here.

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