Liverpool have first option on Owen

[nathanjr]

Liverpool have first option on Owen

By James Carroll
Date: 27/8/2004

Liverpool have first option on Michael Owen should he ever leave Real Madrid. It's been revealed that the Reds inserted a clause in the deal that gives them the chance to buy the former European Footballer of the Year back.


Owen joined Real in a £8m deal, plus Antonio Nunez, two weeks ago but the striker admits that if he ever decides to come back to England, Liverpool are his first choice.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "I've just joined Real Madrid and my intention is to have a long and successful career here."

"But if the time ever came in the future where I did go back to England, Liverpool would be the first club I'd look to. But that's a decision for a long time down the line."

Owen admits that he was disappointed his new side didn't draw Liverpool in yesterday's Champions League draw, as he wanted an emotional return to Anfield.

"I would have loved Liverpool to have been drawn against Real Madrid," he said.

"I was watching the draw yesterday and hoping it would happen, but now I think it would be even better if we meet later in the competition. That will mean we've both got through."

"It would be a strange feeling going back to Anfield playing for another team though. That would seem mad. But I hope it happens."

[DingDong]

lets hope that if he really retuens, he will be a repeat of ian rush...

[Smooth Mike Ale]

Good option,I would have kept him,Benitez is an idiot for not trying harder to hold on to him.Cisse and Baros wont be able to hold together all year.

[Alessandro10]

i dont hink he would want to come back here but!!

[The Rule]

Originally posted by MikeSkibo
Good option,I would have kept him,Benitez is an idiot for not trying harder to hold on to him.Cisse and Baros wont be able to hold together all year.

Shows how much you know doesn't it.

[The Magician]

I hope Owen does the business for Real madrid but i cnat see him being a regular in there side adn dislodging the likes of Raul , Ronaldo and Morientes. But i would have Owen back at Liverpool tomorrow

[kennethlindheim]

Forget Owen,you look like a better side without him.

[DingDong]

MICHAEL OWEN could become a Liverpool player again next season if his Spanish nightmare continues at Real Madrid.

It's understood Liverpool, who sold the England striker to Madrid for £8million just two months ago, have first option to buy him back should he be made available.

And although new Kop boss Rafael Benitez believes Owen will still succeed at the Bernabeu, last night he refused to rule out a move for the former Anfield idol next summer.

"Liverpool could not go for him during the transfer window in January because of FIFA transfer regulations. That could only happen next summer," said Benitez after being quizzed on the possibility of Owen's return.

Owen has made it clear he will review his position in Spain if he cannot command a place in the Real starting line-up. But Benitez, former boss of Valencia, believes Owen should tough it out.

"I only worked with Michael for a month before he went to Spain, but if he shows the same positive attitude and hard work that he showed me, then I think he will be OK at Real," said Benitez.

"He must understand that to succeed there he must keep his mind positive. Then I think it will only be a matter of time for him to succeed because he is a very good player.

"It is always difficult for English players to go to clubs in the south of Europe - they tend to be more suited to the style of football of the north."

This story has been reproduced from today's media and is not necessarily the position of Liverpool Football Club.

[The Rule]

If he cost £5mil or less, then ok, bring him back.

[kopitescott]

I don't want him back

[DingDong]

Originally posted by kopitescott
I don't want him back

Why not? He is the only one by far who can read gerrard's through passes well... they are telepathic... In my opinion they bring the best out of each other

[The Rule]

He screwed the club over, that'd be a reason not to bring him back.

Gerrard's long passes will come less of a factor under Rafa.

[DingDong]

Originally posted by The Rule
Gerrard's long passes will come less of a factor under Rafa.

im not saying the long passes, im talking about his through balls. example: Last season vs blackburn gerrard was at the right corner of the blackburn box and just gave a through ball into the box which owen ran to and directed it in.

[The Rule]

Garcia has shown he can get on the end of those passes, and once Cisse gets fully settled and used to playing with Stevie, he will too.

[spacka]

oh4tru.

seriously, cisse needs to hurry up before he loses confidence. if he ever will.