Taking The Michael
‘WERE happy to stick our neck out this morning and suggest that there is no chance at all of Michael Owen going to Real Madrid for £25m.
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| Owen’s left foot is not believed to be part of the deal |
Thats the valuation put on him by four of the tabloids this morning as they claim that the 24-year-old is on the verge of a move to the Spanish giants.
Even the Sun, which disagrees with the valuation and claims the fee being discussed is only £10m, goes along with the main thrust of the story.
But the clue to the whole story surely lies in the Suns claim that Real swooped after Owens Anfield contract negotiations stalled.
It is amazing how often this happens a player suddenly becomes very attractive to other teams just at the moment theyre renegotiating their contract.
Cynics might suggest that the players agent might have a part to play in leaking the unsubstantiated story to the papers, which are only too happy to go along with the whole charade.
The Sun, however, is sticking to its guns and says it looks increasingly likely that he [Owen] has played his last game for the Reds.
The basis for this tenuous assertion is the equally tenuous assertion that new Real boss Jose Camacho has demanded another top-class striker.
Camacho held talks with president Florentino Perez on Sunday, it says, and they drew up a shortlist including England hitmen Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
The only good news is that once again this story keeps the Patrick Vieira saga off the back pages.
However, it would appear that the Arsenal skipper is on his way to Spain.
The Express hears Arsenal and France teammate Robert Pires wish his erstwhile colleague the best of luck.
All the players wanted Patrick to stay, he said, but he has made his choice and we respect that. We can all understand why he has gone to La Liga.
The reason Vieira has not yet announced his decision may have something to do with the Mirrors Barclay Premiership competition.
Over the next five days as a countdown to the new season, the paper is offering readers the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
For instance, today five lucky winners who can answer the question, Who came fifth in the Premiership last season? will win…a trip to a top stylist for a footballers haircut.
Get on the phone now and you too could look like Robbie Savage before the weeks out…’
Posted: 10th, August 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
