Soccer: Several clubs still interested in Owen

MADRID - Real Madrid have said that several clubs remain interested in signing unsettled England striker Michael Owen but insist they are in no hurry to sell.

"There is going to be more competition than ever for places this season and Owen plays in a position where there are a lot of players," Real vice-president Emilio Butragueno was quoted as saying on the club's website.

"He is an excellent professional who showed last season that he can come off the bench and score lots of goals.

"Several clubs are interested in signing him and we will have to see what happens over the course of the next two weeks. He is an important player for us." Owen has admitted speaking to three or four Premier League clubs about a possible move following Real's decision to sign Brazilian forwards Robinho and Julio Baptista.

Newcastle United said last week they were interested in signing the 25-year-old.

- REUTERS