MICHAEL OWEN - wanted man
The Merseyside clubs both made tentative approaches for the
striker during the summer and are ready to step up their
interest.
Owen’s future on Tyneside is still shrouded in uncertainty with
his contract now in its final year. He has yet to commit himself to
a new deal with Newcastle in a state of disarray after the exit of
manager Kevin Keegan and with owner Mike Ashley seeking to sell the
club.
Owen will be free to talk to other clubs during the January
transfer window and will be available on a free transfer next
summer if he lets his contract run down. That will open the way for
Liverpool and Everton to make their moves.
Either could snap him up for a knockdown fee of around £4million
during the window or wait until the end of the season and get him
for nothing.
There is a strong lobby of support within Anfield for their
former striker to return and Owen would welcome the chance to
return to his first club. But Everton will provide serious
opposition, having tried unsuccessfully to complete a deal on
transfer deadline day.