Michael Owen has confirmed he will leave Newcastle when his contract expires at the end of the month. The 29-year-old, who rejected a new deal at St James’ Park at the turn of the year, is to end his stay on Tyneside four years after making a club record €20 million switch from Real Madrid.

Owen’s decision comes as no surprise as the Magpies attempt to slash their wage bill in the wake of a disastrous relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

His availability has been made known to a series of clubs both at home and abroad by his representatives in recent weeks, and he has admitted he is looking to stay in the Premier League, or to play at a comparative level in another country.

Owen told Sky Sports News: “I’m still obviously contracted to Newcastle. I’ve still got weeks, a month or whatever left, I’m not sure, so that’s where I am at the minute.

“I don’t think I’m going to be re-signing at Newcastle. I don’t think they are going to offer me a contract and I would prefer to play in the Premier League or a top division somewhere else.

“I’m still a Newcastle player, but I think it will only be for a matter of weeks. There are plenty of clubs who would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether that’s home or abroad.

“There has been a lot of interest from abroad, and quite a bit from at home as well.

“Obviously, the Premier League is where I feel I belong. I played a year out in Spain and enjoyed it at Real Madrid, but it definitely confirmed to me that I prefer the Premier League.

“So if it was to be a good English club, that would be my preference, but I have had quite a lot of interest from abroad, so I wouldn’t rule that out.”