Everton are chasing Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.

The Daily Star Sunday says if Newcastle refuse to release the England striker, Goodison boss David Moyes will make a summer move to sign a player he almost landed last August.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni looks like missing the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon - and Moyes hopes to replace him with Owen, to play alongside former Manchester United hitman Louis Saha.

Owen was an Everton fan as a youngster, before signing for Liverpool. He is prepared to take a pay cut to secure a move in the new year.

Otherwise, he will quit Newcastle at the end of the season as a free agent.