The chase to sign England striker Michael Owen is hotting up after Real Madrid revealed that both Manchester United and Newcastle United have joined the list of clubs expressing an interest.
However, Manchester United have denied they are set to sign the former Liverpool star who appears on his way out of Real after just one season, despite having a contract till 2008.
Manchester United communications director Phil Townsend said: ”We have had no contact with Real Madrid over Michael Owen.”
The 25-year-old Owen scored 16 goals in 26 starts for the nine-times European champions, and is said to be happy at Real; however, the arrival at the club of new strikers has unsettled him.
Owen has already spoken of his desire to one day return to the Premiership, and that possibility increased on Monday when Real spokesperson Antonio Garcia Ferreras claimed that both Uniteds are interested in signing Owen.
”Newcastle are very interested in Owen. They are following him closely and are showing the most concrete interest,” he said. ”However, there are other sides showing an interest, including Manchester United.”
Newcastle declared their interest in bringing Owen to St James’ Park earlier on Monday.
Magpies chairperson Freddy Shepherd told the club’s official website: ”We have had a discussion with Madrid but won’t be commenting further on any speculation.”
Owen said last week there had been ”brief dialogue” with three or four top-flight clubs in England with a view to a quick return for the coming season.
However, the England striker may hesitate on Newcastle as they cannot offer him European football leading up to the World Cup finals.
Owen has insisted he is happy to stay at the Bernabeu until the end of his contract despite his first-team chances further decreasing due to the summer signings of Brazilian forwards Robinho and Julio Baptista.
Owen said in his column in The Times that when he does return he will have no regrets about his year abroad.
”Regardless of what happens this summer, I would like to return to the Premiership one day,” he wrote. ”Already I feel that my time abroad has matured me and I believe that when I do return, it will be as a better player.”
Owen revealed the signing of Baptista ”put in motion” the process of his advisers looking into the possibility of a move back to England at the start of a World Cup season.
He added: ”Knowing the importance of World Cup finals year, [Real] said that if there was a possible transfer that suited everyone, I had their permission to explore it, but there was no pressure to make any decision that did not suit me.
”This information was conveyed to a small group of clubs and we have until August 31 to see if anything happens.”
Manchester United’s interest in Owen is more of a surprise, even though Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked with the player throughout the summer.
With Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Alan Smith already in his squad and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer approaching full fitness again after his long-term knee injury, Ferguson has five senior strikers and any further new arrivals would have to be balanced out by departures.
Ultimately, Owen’s decision to join any club in England may be tempered by his chances of regular first-team football, preferably in Europe and with players he already knows.
Liverpool are the current Champions League holders and Owen still has friends at the club.
However, while the board would like to see him return to Anfield, manager Rafael Benitez — who has just signed Peter Crouch from Southampton — appears less convinced. — Sapa-AFP