LONDON - England striker Michael Owen, the subject of transfer speculation in recent weeks, held talks with Newcastle United today, the English Premier League said on their official website.
The 25-year-old Owen, who was left out of Real Madrid's squad for a league match at Cadiz on Sunday, spent several
hours with the club's chairman Freddie Shepherd and manager Graeme Souness.
No details of the talks were given by the club, who made an offer of over £15 million pounds ($39 million) for Owen last week.
Owen's former club Liverpool are also reported to be considering a bid.
"He's expected to meet with Liverpool officials for similar negotiations before linking up with the England squad," Newcastle United said on their website.
Owen, who has struggled to establish himself in the Real first team, finds himself in a rather tricky position.
The one club to have made an official offer for him, Newcastle United, are not his preferred option, while 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 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.
- REUTERS
