Michael Owen pre-empted contract talks with Newcastle United planned for this week by making clear yesterday that he will not make a decision on his future until next summer.

In a move aimed at ending speculation in advance of the transfer window that opens next month, Owen committed himself to St James’ Park for the rest of the season. But although he would like to be allowed to concentrate on trying to play his way back into the England squad, his insistence that he will not consider the offer of a new three-year contract from Newcastle until the summer means that speculation will switch to his likely destination when his contract expires in June. Owen is free to speak to other clubs from January 1 and yesterday’s statement will be seen as a signal to Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

“Following speculation about my future at Newcastle United, I have decided to make it clear that I am committed to the club until at least the end of this season,” Owen said in a statement released through his agent. “I have informed them I do not want to make a decision about my future until that time.”

The “at least” leaves the possibility that Owen could stay at Newcastle, but the uncertainty about the ownership of the club, with Mike Ashley, the owner, seeking buyers, was clearly a factor in Owen postponing a decision.

“I hope this will be seen as a positive step and not seen as being disloyal in any way,” he said. “It is simply a matter of seriously thinking about my future as I was 29 last week and my next career decision is a crucial one.”

In an ideal world, Owen would join a club that can offer him Champions League football, but he will also be influenced by geography, having a home, strong family ties and racing stables in the North West. That will favour City, as will a desire to minimise any drop in his wages, which are thought to be about £120,000 a week.

Owen will not restrict his options by pricing himself out of the market in these times of a general tightening of belts, but the ready availability of funds at the City of Manchester Stadium could prove a significant factor. Newcastle are believed to have put an offer of £90,000 a week on the table, which may sway him if other suitors fall short in their valuation of his worth, although they will be seen as outsiders in the race for Owen’s services next season and beyond.

“My decision is not about money,” Owen’s statement continued. “I told the club some months ago that I would accept a reduction in my wages. I have no intention of leaving Newcastle United during the January transfer window and want to assure the fans that, under Joe Kinnear’s passionate management, I am committed with the rest of the players to ensure that the club ends the season on a high.”

Kinnear, who has always indicated that he would rather have Owen’s services for five months than the proceeds of any sale, put the statement in a positive light. “Michael told me in person about his decision and I fully understand where he is coming from,” the manager said. “I am still optimistic that he will stay with us. In the meantime I have no doubts that he will continue to give 100 per cent. I’m looking forward to him continuing to score goals for us as they will be crucial in what we do for the rest of the season.”

Ashley, though, could be more inclined to consider the financial benefit of selling Owen next month. Whether Newcastle will want to keep him after being denied an early answer is also open to doubt, as is their willingness to retain the player until the end of the season, when he would be able to leave for nothing.

Yesterday Owen was at the races at Kempton Park, where none of his horses won, although Supercase came third, beaten by a short head and a neck. With City and Liverpool in the betting, Newcastle can expect a similar finish place in the summer.