Owen holds talks with Newcastle, Liverpool
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-30 09:17

LONDON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - England striker Michael Owen, the subject of transfer speculation in recent weeks, held talks with Newcastle United and his former club Liverpool on Monday, Newcastle said on their official website.

Michael Owen

Owen had his first meeting with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez since leaving Anfield last year before spending several hours with Newcastle club chairman Freddie Shepherd, manager Graeme Souness and captain Alan Shearer.

No details of the talks were given by either club.

The 25-year-old Owen, who was left out of Real Madrid's squad for a league match at Cadiz on Sunday, is keen to re-join Liverpool but has said he would agree to a season-long loan to Newcastle.

"Crucially, though, there's no word from Madrid as yet of an accepted bid from Anfield," Newcastle, who made an offer of over 15 million pounds ($27.11 million) for Owen last week, said on their website.

Owen, who has struggled to establish himself in the Real first team, finds himself in a rather tricky position.

Newcastle United are not his preferred option but his first choice destination, Liverpool, have yet to decide if they really want him back.

Newcastle would be the ideal option for Real as their offer of around 22 million euros ($27.11 million) would ensure a profit of 10 million euros on the price they paid Liverpool last year.

Liverpool will be understandably reluctant to pay much more than the price they sold Owen for last season.

Whatever happens, Owen and his agents at SFX are likely to be working overtime for the next couple of days.

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