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-Taken from Liverpoolfc.tv-
Michael Owen'S Anfield future is in the balance after an 11th hour crisis in contract talks.
The Liverpool striker is unlikely to play in the Champions League qualifier against AK Graz unless his situation is resolved within the next 24 hours.
Owen continued negotiations about a new deal in New York last week and was close to agreeing terms, but it's believed clubs from abroad - including Barcelona - have shown late interest to sign him.
Real Madrid have also had a long-term interest in the striker.
The ECHO understands that's forced the 24-year-old into the biggest decision of his career.
He must either sign a new deal now or leave the club immediately to ensure Liverpool get a decent fee for his services.
Owen doesn't want to exit Liverpool on a free transfer, but unless he's sold before August 31 or signs the contract on offer, that's the only option left.
The timing of tomorrow's Champions League qualifier has created a major dilemma for both the player and his club.
Neither party wants Owen cup-tied because if contract talks break down after the fixture, both will lose out.
If Owen plays in Austria, he'll only be eligible to play in Europe for Liverpool this season. That will effectively end any possibility of him being transferred to a top continental club before next summer.
Any joy at keeping Owen for another season must be balanced by the fact Liverpool would then risk losing a £10m asset on a free Bosman transfer - unless the striker signs a new deal.
Rafael Benitez's first teamsheet for a competitive Liverpool match now promises to be one of his most important.
If Owen's name is on it, it indicates the forward will pledge his future to the club and sign fresh terms.
If the worst case scenario materialises and he isn't, an illustrious Anfield career could be coming to an end.
However, Benitez tried to play down the situation today, saying: "For me the most important thing is the match and I don't want to talk about individual players.
"Michael will travel with the team and I can use him if I want. I won't decide on the starting XI until half-an-hour before the match.
"I train with all the squad, not just 11 players and my job at the moment is simply to prepare the team for a big game tomorrow."
(Sorry for quoting the whole thing, it wouldn't let me link to the website)
-------------------------------
Basically, all this take of Owen leaving has started again; thing is this time, it'll seem like a much more "rushed" process, and we stand to only get a potential £10mil from any transfer!
Me personally; I'm confident of him staying, but I nevertheless hate stories like this, especially just before the start of a new season, and only 20-odd days before the Transfer Window closes.
Michael Owen'S Anfield future is in the balance after an 11th hour crisis in contract talks.
The Liverpool striker is unlikely to play in the Champions League qualifier against AK Graz unless his situation is resolved within the next 24 hours.
Owen continued negotiations about a new deal in New York last week and was close to agreeing terms, but it's believed clubs from abroad - including Barcelona - have shown late interest to sign him.
Real Madrid have also had a long-term interest in the striker.
The ECHO understands that's forced the 24-year-old into the biggest decision of his career.
He must either sign a new deal now or leave the club immediately to ensure Liverpool get a decent fee for his services.
Owen doesn't want to exit Liverpool on a free transfer, but unless he's sold before August 31 or signs the contract on offer, that's the only option left.
The timing of tomorrow's Champions League qualifier has created a major dilemma for both the player and his club.
Neither party wants Owen cup-tied because if contract talks break down after the fixture, both will lose out.
If Owen plays in Austria, he'll only be eligible to play in Europe for Liverpool this season. That will effectively end any possibility of him being transferred to a top continental club before next summer.
Any joy at keeping Owen for another season must be balanced by the fact Liverpool would then risk losing a £10m asset on a free Bosman transfer - unless the striker signs a new deal.
Rafael Benitez's first teamsheet for a competitive Liverpool match now promises to be one of his most important.
If Owen's name is on it, it indicates the forward will pledge his future to the club and sign fresh terms.
If the worst case scenario materialises and he isn't, an illustrious Anfield career could be coming to an end.
However, Benitez tried to play down the situation today, saying: "For me the most important thing is the match and I don't want to talk about individual players.
"Michael will travel with the team and I can use him if I want. I won't decide on the starting XI until half-an-hour before the match.
"I train with all the squad, not just 11 players and my job at the moment is simply to prepare the team for a big game tomorrow."
(Sorry for quoting the whole thing, it wouldn't let me link to the website)
-------------------------------
Basically, all this take of Owen leaving has started again; thing is this time, it'll seem like a much more "rushed" process, and we stand to only get a potential £10mil from any transfer!
Me personally; I'm confident of him staying, but I nevertheless hate stories like this, especially just before the start of a new season, and only 20-odd days before the Transfer Window closes.
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Stryke wrote:
> But there will be such a rant by me if Mikey goes, I tell you. For
> one thing, he's cost me £30.
If it comes to the worst of the worst - take it back and demand a refund :D
How the hell did Liverpool get into this situation? According to one of the rumour mills I read even if Owen travels with the rest of the team he may well still not play so that he isn't cuptied. How can you take him and not play him?
He should have been given a ultimatum early than this. Kewell was only reported as saying at the weekend that he was pleased that both Owen and Gerrard would be staying for the new season.
I'm feeling a little more sympathetic towards the Leeds / Smith situation but at least Smithy said well in advance that if Leeds went down he would leave. Why would Owen leave this to so late in the pre-season?
[EDIT]
Yes, I know, the last question was rhetorical. It will probably be something that has gone on behind closed doors we will not hear about but it was my mini rant :(
> But there will be such a rant by me if Mikey goes, I tell you. For
> one thing, he's cost me £30.
If it comes to the worst of the worst - take it back and demand a refund :D
How the hell did Liverpool get into this situation? According to one of the rumour mills I read even if Owen travels with the rest of the team he may well still not play so that he isn't cuptied. How can you take him and not play him?
He should have been given a ultimatum early than this. Kewell was only reported as saying at the weekend that he was pleased that both Owen and Gerrard would be staying for the new season.
I'm feeling a little more sympathetic towards the Leeds / Smith situation but at least Smithy said well in advance that if Leeds went down he would leave. Why would Owen leave this to so late in the pre-season?
[EDIT]
Yes, I know, the last question was rhetorical. It will probably be something that has gone on behind closed doors we will not hear about but it was my mini rant :(
Enough of that Bainsy! :D
(Come on MSN mate, I have about 30mb of tunes to give you. Good ones this time :P )
(Come on MSN mate, I have about 30mb of tunes to give you. Good ones this time :P )
Virtuoso wrote:
> *Is shocked; visibly and mentally*
*Smacks Stu in the face (to accentuate the visible shock)*
:P
> *Is shocked; visibly and mentally*
*Smacks Stu in the face (to accentuate the visible shock)*
:P
Stryke wrote:
If I had to order my favourite players...
1) Kanchelskis/Joe Cole
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5) Stevie G
-------------------
(I added many spaces for effect)
Stryke! That's near enough sacrilege! :O
*Is shocked; visibly and mentally*
If I had to order my favourite players...
1) Kanchelskis/Joe Cole
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5) Stevie G
-------------------
(I added many spaces for effect)
Stryke! That's near enough sacrilege! :O
*Is shocked; visibly and mentally*
Stryke wrote:
I've got my new
> Liverpool Owen 10 shirt and all :(
I wanted Keane 16 on my Man U champions league (winners shirt)A few years ago when Roy Keane was stalling on a new contract. Was travelling to to the game against Valencia when we heard on the radio that he had signed a contract and got my shirt done at Old trafford that evening!
The morale of this story is that footballers are greedy bas...er...i mean wait until they sort thier contract!
I've got my new
> Liverpool Owen 10 shirt and all :(
I wanted Keane 16 on my Man U champions league (winners shirt)A few years ago when Roy Keane was stalling on a new contract. Was travelling to to the game against Valencia when we heard on the radio that he had signed a contract and got my shirt done at Old trafford that evening!
The morale of this story is that footballers are greedy bas...er...i mean wait until they sort thier contract!
It's only banter ;)
But there will be such a rant by me if Mikey goes, I tell you. For one thing, he's cost me £30.
But there will be such a rant by me if Mikey goes, I tell you. For one thing, he's cost me £30.
if i didn't know you were joking there would be a several thousand word rant here! :-)
Oh, and if he goes to Barcelona I want £10 million + Ronaldinho.
And even then I'd still cry myself to sleep. I've got my new Liverpool Owen 10 shirt and all :(
And even then I'd still cry myself to sleep. I've got my new Liverpool Owen 10 shirt and all :(
If Mikey goes (please no please no please no) then it won't be to Real Madrid. He's better than Raul, and on a par with Ronaldo, but you know they won't drop Raul. So Mikey wouldn't play regularly. He'd be stuck on the bench playing cards with Morientes. Dirty Real Madrid, they bought Macca and turned him rubbish. They'd do the same to Mikey.
I want my Macca back, not this shoddy imitation who lurches around the City of Manchester stadium. I also want Redknapp back. Couldn't care less about Fowler, never liked the drugged-up fool.
I want my Macca back, not this shoddy imitation who lurches around the City of Manchester stadium. I also want Redknapp back. Couldn't care less about Fowler, never liked the drugged-up fool.
You don't want to know my 5 favourite players.
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