Liverpool: Owen on his way

Michael Owen's whole Liverpool future will depend on whether he plays in the club's Champions League crunch qualifier in Graz tomorrow.

It is believed that Liverpool are in the middle of a delicate piece of brinkmanship over the England striker's new contract.

Barcelona are believed to be interested in Owen but are very much aware that if he plays against the Austrian double winners Graz AK his transfer valuation will slump because he will be cup-tied in all UEFA tournaments this season.

Owen has been cagey in recent days about his new contract after 15 months of negotiation.

Last week he implied he was on the brink of signing a new three-year contact that would have given manager Rafael Benitez a major boost as he approached the new Barclays Premiership season.

But those talks appear to have hit a snag with the clear implication that Owen is being pressured into signing before the Champions League starts, and that is something his advisors will not allow to happen, with initially Barcelona and possibly also Real Madrid showing interest.
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[Edited on 13/8/04 by TRD]

Liverpool striker Michael Owen is considering a move to Real Madrid after contract talks with the Reds broke down, according to newspaper reports.

Real, who are said to be willing to pay 10m and throw in Fernando Morientes or Samuel Eto'o, refused to comment.

Owen's contract at Liverpool runs out at the end of this season and he would be able to leave on a free transfer.

Liverpool may avoid using Owen in their Champions League game against Graz AK to avoid him being cup-tied in Europe.

The 24-year-old England forward had said he was close to signing a new contract, but reports say the two parties have been unable to come to an agreement.

Originally posted by TRD
Real, who are said to be willing to pay 10m and throw in Fernando Morientes or Samuel Eto'o, refused to comment.

Thats a good deal for Liverpool, but it would screw Madrid. 10m and Morientes ! wow Owen isn't worth that much. They have capable strikers, why add more. What Madrid need is a goal keeper and some capable defenders to strengthen up the back line.

Blah....Owen is worth at least 25 million.

Not following Madrid that much i would say they need to replace Figo soon he us getting a bit too old.

Real Madrid moved closer to capturing Michael Owen on Thursday night, with sources close to the Spanish giants revealing a fee has been agreed with Liverpool.

Real have agreed to give Liverpool 12million euros (8million) and right-sided midfielder Carlos Nunez for the 24-year-old England striker.

Owen has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants and was apparently left on the bench for his club's Champions League qualifying win over Graz AK in Austria on Tuesday so as not to be cup-tied.

After the breakdown of contract talks at Liverpool, it became a distinct possibility that Owen would leave the club he has been at since he was 11 years old.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted that once Real Madrid declared an interest in Michael Owen it became impossible to keep the England striker.The new Anfield chief announced Owen's departure to the Bernabeu and the arrival of winger Antonio Nunez from the Spanish giants in a deal in which

Liverpool will get only 8million for the player who is already in the last year of his contract. Benitez promised he will move quickly to bring in more players with the Owen cash to "balance" the side. Real Sociedad midfielder Xabi Alonso and

Barcelona right-sided midfielder Luis Garcia are the likely candidates.But it is not the arrival of more young Spanish talent that will dominate the minds of the Kop, only the loss of their star striker.

I think this is a great move for Micheal Owen last season at Liverpool it looked like he was in a rut so i think the move will do him good and will make him a better player after all he is still only 24 not reached his peak

I can't decide wether it is a good move or not. Owen hasn't played that well in the last few seasons as he has struggled with injuries. A fully fit Owen is dangerous and one of the best strikers there is.

But can he stay fit?

Going on the last few seasons i think he won't. He had one year left on his contract and people are saying he went on the cheap. I say on previous form for the last few seasons they got good money for him.

I think its gonna be strange not seeing Owen in the liverpool shirt now, i dont really know how Real Madrid are gonna work they forwards, unless they play Raul behind owen and ronaldo. i think Cisse looks a good fast stong player and Baros proved at Euro 2004 he is a good player if he is played right.

I guess 8 million is better than waiting till the end of the season and him going for nothing.

the only thing which i think could be a problem is if Cisse or Baros get injured for a few months, there talks about the midfielders they are interested in but a striker would be a good addition too in my view

rynaldo

Madrid have 5 strikers so it's going to be hard but i hear there is talks that Ronaldo is going in January so he will get more of a chance if that is the case.

owen came of the bench to lay the only goal of the game for ronaldo, he has some goal scoring record

Michael Owen expressed his joy after helping Real Madrid to an opening day 1-0 win over Mallorca.

The former Liverpool star came off the bench in the first half to replace the injured Raul and laid on the only goal of the game for Ronaldo.

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I would like to see him fit in at Real as he is a great player. They look like a much better side than last year and Beckham looks to be up for it.

and that was without there new central pairing (woodgate and samuel)

noticed helguera was in midfield, am sure he will be good in the holding role in there.

they will be desperate to win this time round after last season

Yeah i agree they will be desperate, you would think with the team they had and have now they would and should be winning their league real easy.

yip, got a quite alot of best players, ronaldo raul, carlos, beckham zidane etc

i still think they should have kept hierro last season, he was good in there shirt and the manager del bosque,

barcelona though i think will chalenge, they have maybe signed to many players thats the only thing, like taking time to gel, real have kept the same squad really and added to it

i think they will win the league this year and possibly the champions league (lol the predictions are coming out lol)

Hey i will go with that. I think they have a better chance this year on winning the champions league.