New Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is not
planning to make moves for his former England favourites David
Beckham and Michael Owen.
He was quickly linked with a move for Owen, who has a £9million
buy-out clause in his contract at Newcastle and has been at the
centre of much speculation already this summer.
Beckham, meanwhile, is preparing for his new life with LA Galaxy,
but it has been suggested he could return to the Premier League in
November at the end of the MLS season as he looks to prolong his
England career.
But Eriksson has told Sunday newspaper journalists: "I didn't even
know that there was any possibility of Beckham being available on
loan, but no, no, no. I haven't thought about it and won't think
about it.
"As for Michael Owen - he's available? I didn't know that. Michael
Owen will always score goals for you...but I don't want to read
that I'm interested in signing him either."
But while Beckham and Owen have been ruled out, the Sunday papers
have gone into overdrive about Eriksson's potential targets.
The Mail on Sunday claims he has already received his first snub
from a player since taking charge at Eastlands after making a move
for Everton's former Manchester United stalwart Phil Neville.
The News of the World, meanwhile, claims Eriksson wants to make
Christian Wilhelmsson his first signing while The People is linking
him with a cross-city raid for United duo Alan Smith and Kieran
Richardson.
Other reported targets for the former England manager include
Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz, Zoltan Gera of West Brom
and West Ham's Paul Konchesky.
