Making the back pages this morning, Wednesday September 3, 2008:

THE SUN: Michael Owen and Joey Barton are at the centre of the explosive bust-up that has torn Newcastle and Kevin Keegan apart. Also: Manchester City's dramatic capture of Robinho has left Big Phil Scolari 'angry and let down.'

DAILY MIRROR: Kevin Keegan is being forced out of Newcastle after a bitter rift with transfer boss Dennis Wise.Also: Mark Hughes reckons he can help turn Manchester City's record-breaking £32.5million signing Robinho into the best player in the world.

DAILY STAR: Kevin Keegan's future at Newcastle was in the balance last night despite an astonishing U-turn by the club. Also: Manchester City's new owners have been labelled mugs after paying 'crazy money' for Robinho...Andy Murray could be in for a stormy quarter-final when he meets Argentinian teen Juan Martin Del Potro in the US Open tonight.

DAILY EXPRESS: Kevin Keegan and owner Mike Ashley had a massive bust-up yesterday and the 'Geordie Messiah' is on the brink of severing his ties with St James' Park for a third time. Also: Manchester City's new owner is ready to make a mind-blowing £134million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window...Dimitar Berbatov last night hinted Chelsea had missed out on a second deadline-day deal...Robinho threatened to quit football if Real Madrid refused to release him before the transfer deadline.

DAILY MAIL: Kevin Keegan was talking to his lawyers last night as he considered launching a claim for constructive dismissal against Newcastle United. Also: Alan Curbishley is on a knife edge at West Ham after indicating he would be prepared to accept a severance package in the wake of George McCartney's controversial departure to Sunderland.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Newcastle last night denied that manager Kevin Keegan had left the club after a dramatic day on Tyneside. Also: The full scale of Manchester City's astonishing new ambition was further underlined yesterday when the club's new owners indicated that they were ready to bid £135million for Cristiano Ronaldo.

THE TIMES: Kevin Keegan was on the verge of standing down as Newcastle United manager last night, throwing the club into bitter turmoil, over what he perceives as humiliation concerning the club's transfer policy. Also: Luiz Felipe Scolari has demanded significant funds to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window after missing out on Robinho.

THE INDEPENDENT: Newcastle United said last night that they wish to retain Kevin Keegan as manager of the Tyneside club, but after a long, uncertain day at St James' Park there was no definitive statement that Keegan remains in his post and the perception is that he has been forced out.

THE GUARDIAN: At the end of one of the most baffling days in Newcastle United's history Kevin Keegan's future as the club's manager was surrounded by considerable confusion and no little anger last night. Also: Asafa Powell last night provided another stunning twist to this summer's story of the world 100 metres by running 9.72 seconds at the Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne.