NEWCASTLE FACE HUGE PAYOUT ON OWEN & VIDUKA
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NEWCASTLE FACE HUGE PAYOUT
Another cash crisis grips St James' Park
NEWCASTLE face a new £750,000 bill for Michael Owen and Mark Viduka - even though they will not play again.
The pair's deals end on Tuesday but both have a clause to collect another month's severance pay if they do not sign for new clubs in July. Owen is on £125,000 a week and Viduka picks up £65,000 a week.
Keith Harris, the man brokering the sale of the club for Mike Ashley, was in America last night and an £80million deal could be struck inside 72 hours. But a legal battle with ex-boss Kevin Keegan is proving a major obstacle.
Keegan claims boardroom interference forced him out and plans a £9m court battle to pay up the three years left on his contract when he quit.
St James' Park is in complete meltdown. The club plan to cull the playing staff but Porto, who want Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez, have not been able to contact anyone to get the transfer moving.
And the coaching staff have been forced to swap their company BMWs for second-hand motors. In another blow, key fitness experts Robbie Elliott and Mark Hulse have both left.
MARK VIDUKA - picks up another £260,000 while Owen gets £500,000 severance pay if they do not sign for new clubs in July.