The stalled takeover negotiations at Newcastle United threatens to tear apart the club's squad.

The News of the World says all player contract talks have been put on hold until a new regime takes control, and that means seven players could agree to leave for nothing in the January sales.

Michael Owen heads the list of big-names who can negotiate moves for nothing next summer when the transfer window opens at the start of next year.

But he is not alone, with fellow stars Nicky Butt, Mark Viduka, Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi, Cacapa and David Edgar all running towards the end of their existing deals.

Even Uruguayan winger Ignacio Gonzalez, signed at the end of August, sees his loan deal end next summer.