Gareth Owen Makes Last Minute U-Turn?

Gareth Owen could be about to snub Crewe in favour of a new deal at Port Vale, despite initiating and shaking hands on a move to Gresty Road.

Owen was all set to sign for the Alex today but a last minute change of mind by the former Stoke City youngster saw the scheduled appointment with the club cancelled as he returned to Vale for talks.

Earlier in the week Owen told BBC Radio Stoke that his Vale career was over having turned down a new, reduced contract offer on Tuesday morning. Speaking on Tuesday evening, Owen said that he wouldn't be going back on his word and his future would be sorted elsewhere very soon.

However, it looks like Owen is the 'weak man' he said he'd be if he was to return to sign for Vale. Media reports suggest a discussion with old Micky Adams last night may well have scuppered the deal and turned Owen's head.

Speaking to the official website this morning, Dario said that Owen was due at the club today having shook on a deal:

'He had approached us about coming here and I agreed. Everything was agreed and sorted and we shook hands on it.

'I now hear he has gone back to speak with Port Vale. He has cancelled our appointment so it is up in the air.

Signing Gareth (Owen) was included in my budget so we would have the money to spend elsewhere if he doesn't come here.'

The question is now, do we even want a player that approaches the club over a move, agrees the move and then messes us about at the last minute?

After all his media interviews this week, Owen suggested he was after stability and was a man of his word. Looks like he's just blown that charade.

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