Michael Owen thought Newcastle would try and sign Raheem Sterling

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Newcastle United have surprised former Toon striker Michael Owen this summer, who thought his old side would make a move for Raheem Sterling.

The England international left Manchester City last month, joining Chelsea for £47.5million. Thomas Tuchel’s side appeared to be largely unchallenged in their bid to sign Sterling.

He should prove to be a brilliant addition to the Chelsea squad, but Owen thought he would have been a target for Newcastle.

Owen on Newcastle not targeting Sterling

Owen, who has spent the summer watching his daughter on Love Island, has spoke about Newcastle’s inactivity in the transfer market.

Eddie Howe’s side have made three signings, bringing in Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman. They are all great additions, but Owen expected his former side to do something big.

“I was expecting them to maybe push for European places if they went and signed two or three good players, the likes of, you know [Jesse] Lingard, I thought maybe,” he told DAZN.

“Raheem Sterling, I thought they might go and make a big push for players like that to get them to that next level.”

Owen hasn’t been paying attention

Of course Raheem Sterling would have been a brilliant signing for Newcastle. Pretty much every Premier League club would have him if they could.

And if money was no option, the new Toon owners probably would have tried to sign the 27-year-old. But money is an option.

The Magpies are trying to be careful with what they spend, both on transfer fees and wages. £47.5million would have been affordable for Newcastle. We offered £50million in total for James Maddison.

But Sterling’s wage demands would have been where the deal collapsed. He was reportedly on £300,000-a-week at City, and he will likely earn a similar figure at Chelsea.

Newcastle aren’t ready to pay that kind of money. Our highest earner is Kieran Trippier, who takes home just over £100,000-a-week.

Bringing in someone on more than double the wages of everyone else could cause real problems. And they are problems that Newcastle are doing their best to avoid.

Steady progression is the theme, not a Football Manager style spending spree. If Owen had been keeping an eye on his former club, he would know how ridiculous suggesting a move for Sterling sounds.