Tottenham are planning a £4 million bid for Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.

The Mirror says Newcastle accept they have problems in persuading the striker, who celebrates his 29th birthday today, to sign a new contract and Harry Redknapp is ready to pounce.

Owen, who is Toon's highest paid player on £105,000 a week, will need to be persuaded to move in the January window.

He could sit tight and leave St James' Park as a free agent next summer.