Smoking Takes You Closer To God

Ah, summer.  The dead days, where the heat outside is not matched in the papers back pages, where the paper round up takes mere minutes.  

And today's a busy day, for summer.  We've got Owen signing a new contract and Berba interviewed about the Champions league final, as well as other assorted rumours.

First off Owen, and in a way, Berba as well, because all of the papers link the two stories.  Arguing, I'm not sure how logically (although my love for Berba perhaps blinds me to logic in this instance as well), that Owen staying equals Berba going.  The Guardian argues:

Sir Alex Ferguson has provided further evidence that he believes Dimitar Berbatov's future lies away from Manchester United by handing a one-year contract extension to Michael Owen.

The Englishman had been expected to leave Old Trafford when his two-year contract expired this summer on account of starting only one Premier League game last season. Having been chosen ahead of Berbatov for the substitutes' bench in the Champions League final defeat on Saturday, however, Owen has now signed a 12-month extension that is likely to reduce the Bulgarian's opportunities and usher him towards a move.

The logic is this, they suggest:

one of eight strikers in Ferguson's squad next season – a collection that includes Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernández, Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda, Mame Biram Diouf, Bébé and Owen – and with the possibility of another forward joining this summer, plus the prospect of Ravel Morrison breaking through, this week's developments are ominous for Berbatov's future.

The Mail reports on the Berba interview and also links it to Owen, beginning thus:

A heartbroken Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to salvage his Manchester United career but faces an increasingly futile battle to stay at Old Trafford

Here's the quote all the papers have.  It's positive for the future - if we decide to keep him:

I will stay,’ said Berbatov. ‘I will fight for the 20th title. If I were an easy quitter, I would never have made it this far. ‘Everything at Manchester United starts from scratch for me on July 4. There will be new finals and we will be fighting for new titles. I am moving ahead. The truth is that I stayed at the dressing room and watched the final there. I was ashamed that I was not part of the team and did not want people to see how sad I felt.’

The Sun has Sir Alex's quote on Owen's signing:

"Michael has proved to be a top footballer. It's unfortunate he didn't get more opportunities but the form of Chicharito put everyone in the shade. His partnership with Rooney proved invaluable.

"I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season."

Elsewhere The Mirror report Wes Brown may be on his way during the summer:

The long-serving defender has been told to find a new club in the wake of a row with Ferguson.

Brown, 31, fell out with the United manager over a lack of action and has not featured for his hometown club since being subbed at half-time in the 1-0 defeat of Bolton on March 19.

They link him with Everton and Sunderland.

The Telegraph report that Park will be signing a new contract, and names a few others who might be in trouble:

Park can expect a two-year extension to his current deal, the futures of Dimitar Berbatov, John O’Shea and Darron Gibson - all of whom are out of contract next summer - are unlikely to be resolved until the new year, should they remain at the club beyond this summer. Wes Brown, whose contract also expires next year, is likely to be sold during the closed season.

Finally, The Telegraph report on the Blackburn penalty spot being auctioned for £1 million.