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"Further Owen-related news"

MICHAEL OWEN could be offered a return ticket to Liverpool after Rafael Benitez was persuaded by the Anfield board to consider taking the England striker back.

The Reds boss was lukewarm about the former Anfield man earlier in the summer, preferring to sign Peter Crouch from Southampton.

But after encouragement from his board, the Spaniard has indicated he is prepared to do business if the price is right.

As Owen's Real Madrid career was effectively ended by the Spanish club's claim that both Manchester United and Newcastle had made moves to bring him back to England, Liverpool were hovering in the background.

Manchester United, within an hour of the Real Madrid claim, issued an emphatic denial and Owen, in turn, rejected an offer to join Newcastle.

Benitez now plans to offload Czech striker Milan Baros within the next 48 hours to pave the way for Owen's return to Merseyside.

The Liverpool boss has done something of a U-turn over Owen's merits after opting to sign Crouch rather than the former Anfield favourite.

But with Madrid lowering the asking price after having no takers for their original £16million valuation, Benitez and the Liverpool board are now ready to step in and offer Owen the escape route he needs - if the price is right.

A day of confusion over Owen's future began when Real spokesman Antonio Garcia Ferreras said: "Newcastle are very interested in Owen.

"They are following him closely and are showing the most concrete interest. However, there are other sides showing an interest, including Manchester United."

That latter claim was emphatically denied by United, although Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who has made an initial £11m bid, confirmed: "We've had a discussion with Madrid but we won't be commenting further on any speculation."

But Newcastle's hopes were ended when Owen turned down the chance to join them in time for a sensational debut at Arsenal on Sunday.

Real Madrid's up-for-grabs striker was given the chance to make the deal happen yesterday but said 'no' to Graeme Souness's club.

And that has left an opening for Liverpool to exploit, especially with Benitez confident of wrapping up the £6m sale of Baros to either Lyon or Monaco. Benitez has come to the view that his return makes commercial and football sense if it does not impinge on his other transfer activity.

Liverpool will ask Real to allow Owen to join them on loan with a view to a permanent move back. The Bernabeu club want Owen off their books within a fortnight.
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...his transfer his edging closer and closer, which is a good thing.


I also heard a short while ago that one of the reasons Gerrard re-signed was the promise of Owen returning.

Apparently, Lyon have now declared their interest in Owen.

Oswaldo! wrote:
> I also found out today, much to my surprise and, I must say,
> dissapointment, that Anthony Le Tallec has moved on from Anfield over
> the summer - if I'm right in memory, he's gone to Sunderland?

It's a season long loan. He'll be back next year after he's got some experience under his belt.

Heh, looks as if Chopra's out of the reckoning for a fair bit now aswell. That goes with Shola Ameobi's suspension for the opening game against Arsenal, meaning... Is Alan Shearer the ONLY striker Newcastle have left???

I also found out today, much to my surprise and, I must say, dissapointment, that Anthony Le Tallec has moved on from Anfield over the summer - if I'm right in memory, he's gone to Sunderland?

Well, best of luck to him there, anyway. I really hope he gets a decent first-team run under Mick McCarthy. He really impressed me in his first season with Liverpool, it's a shame we've seen so little of him since. I know he wasn't too happy there, but I'd have thought Benitez may've been considering as the first-choice right-winger, given that Figo's off to Inter Milan...?

Oh, well. At least I'm a United supporter - Glazer or not! :)

I don't he's anywhere near to the £20m valuation he has in my game of Football Manager anyway. :P


Speaking of Liverpool's unresolved midfield situation, did I, or did I not, read, recently, that Gonzalez's move to Anfield looked in pieces as his work permit application was denied? :o

No, you can't keep playing Garcia there. He HAS to play central for you; if you really want the very best out of him, that is. Don't mention Zenden either - I still cannot believe that signing! He's even worse than Kewell. ;D

Oswaldo! wrote:
> When David Healy left, he went on to a great goal-scoring start with
> Preston.

He has now formed into a Leeds United genius, this years top scorer with no less than 2 goals. Oh yes.

Im a Newcastle fan and do feel without a few new strikers we will go down. Its going to be hard for Shearer to stay fit all season. Chopra is prob too unexperienced. And dont get me started on Ameobie! We should go in for Cole and Robbie Keane, Cant do much worse then them two. I think they could make an ideal partnership.?

When David Healy left, he went on to a great goal-scoring start with Preston.

When Webber first joined Watford last year, they were high up the table, he was top of the lot.

And I think even Nardiello bagged a few goals in his time on-loan at Barnsley.

I'll be glad to see Pique emerge also.

Was Jimmy Davies i think who was killed in the car crash.

Yup Webber's at Sheff United

Mate. Webber's at... Sheff Utd isn't he?

I thought Danny Webber died in a carcrash? Or was that his mate?

Oswaldo! wrote:
> Though, it's a shame Fergie
> couldn't have shown more enthusiasm in Healy, Nardiello or Webber.
> :(


Indeed, i cried when young Danny Webber left, waving him off with my handkerchief i was as he wandered into the abyss of the Championship