Owen and Saha linked as Bruce moves on from Johnson

Michael Owen

Johnson was the subject of a £9 million Latics bid last week which was rejected by the Toffees and Bruce now believes he could add both Saha and Owen to the squad for the same price.

Alhough their combined wages would be higher, Bruce is hoping to re-united Owen with Heskey after witnessing what the pair can do whilst on England duty earlier last season.

Newcastle themselves have grown tired of Owen's inconsistency with the club and owner Mike Ashley is looking to chop the England man's salary from the sky high wage bill at St James Park.

A fee has yet to be mentioned but it is believed that around £7 million has been discussed, despite the Toon having paid almost £16 million for his services in August 2005.

Whilst Saha is currently out of favour at Old Trafford and rumoured to be available for a cut price £2 million as United boss Ferguson looks to off-load the injury prone forward. Fulham and Sunderland are also looking to capture Saha.

Both moves are at a very early stage and Bruce could well be calling Everton's bluff with regards to the Johnson fee, either way, the Latics are seemingly looking at three international quality strikers.