Liverpool FC Forum

by **A.B.** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 4:35 am

Liverpool make first moves to bring back Owen
By Oliver Kay
LIVERPOOL will make the first official moves towards re-signing Michael Owen next week after edging closer to the sale of Milan Baros. Aston Villa made a fresh inquiry about Baros yesterday and are believed to be close to securing a £6.5 million deal for the Czech Republic forward, opening the door for Owen to return to the Merseyside club after becoming surplus to requirements at Real Madrid.

Numerous obstacles remain before a deal can be reached, with Liverpool’s plans to take the forward on loan unlikely to meet approval from Real, and it is unlikely to be resolved long before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. But it is increasingly clear that Anfield is the forward’s most likely destination, even though Graeme Souness maintains that Newcastle United have “a good chance” of signing Owen.

In Liverpool’s case, everything hinges on Baros, who will be in the squad for today’s match away to Middlesbrough but has no prospect of a long-term future under Rafael Benítez. The club’s top priorities, as spelt out by Benítez yesterday, are a centre half and a right winger but, after considerable encouragement from his board, the manager has clearly softened his stance over the forward he sold to Real for £8 million 12 months ago.

Benítez’s comments yesterday could be interpreted either way, but they did show he is open to the idea, which he had hitherto denied. “Michael Owen is a good player, so I can’t say no,” he said. “I don’t know at the moment if we can do something about the strikers because we are waiting on a good offer for Milan. If we don’t get that offer, we can’t do anything about it, (but) there are no problems between me and Michael. He’s a good player and a nice boy, a good professional.”

Now that a deal for Baros is imminent, Liverpool are expected to make contact with Real, who will demand considerably more than they paid for him last August but less than the £16 million valuation proposed earlier in the summer.

With (McDonalds Buccaneers) having retreated to the background — though not quite disappeared from contention completely — it is Newcastle who pose the greatest threat to Liverpool’s bid. They have the resources to make a higher cash offer than Liverpool, which is one reason for the optimism outlined by Souness yesterday.

“We know everything about Michael’s situation,” the Newcastle manager said. “He is a target. He’s a top player but we also have other targets. Without exciting the fans too much, I think there is a good chance. We are still in there

by **Woollyback** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:49 am

BBC Teletext this morning says that the s*n and the mirror are reporting that rafa has "admitted he is interested in ending MO's stay at Madrid"

it doesn't go into any more detail and i don't read either of those rags so that's all you're getting

anyone who reads the mirror let us know what's going on. anyone who reads the s*n fuck off and die

by **Joel** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:13 am

I have been Owen fan since the day I say him score that goal against argentina in the 98WC. And I tell you now he is one of the most natural goal scorers on earth. it's so natural to him. the way he finds space and his finishing. liverpool lose nothing in bringing him back. In fact, with him and maybe one more central defender, i would'nt be surprised to see Liverpool sweeping everything before them.
i hope Rafa will repeat what he did at Valencia a Liverpool. Valancia, a team of not-so-famous but dedicated players beat the big spending RM and Barca so there is hope Liverpool will do the same to Les Blues (with Owen in the squad, hopefully)

by **mistyred** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:21 am

He will come back sooner rather than later too much fuel to this particular fire IMHO somethings going on that's for sure.

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:39 am

Seems as though any deal for Owen will depend on freeing up space in our squad by selling Baros.

If he is going to use a 4-4-2 more often than not then I guess he wants 4 strikers, Morinetes, Crouch , Cisse and Baros/Owen. I think he is playing it right, we wont just accumlate players like we did under Houllier.

This public admission also means there is more pressure on the clubs that want to buy Baros, they now know they will have to act quickly becuase we will need enough time to tie up a deal for Owen.

Top handling of the situation.

by **JC_81** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:58 pm

Just read Rafa's comments on liverpoolfc.tv and for the first time I'm starting to believe that Owen will be playing for Liverpool again this season. I thought he would sit it out until January in Madrid, but it looks like he will be signed as long as Baros leaves.

I just hope we get the centre back position sorted out first

by **El Nino_#9** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:37 pm

Did anyone watch soccer AM this morning.
Mickey Thomas reckins that Michael Owen is signing for Liverpool aswell.
I hope we get the centre back and right wing situation out first!

by **lakes10** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 2:22 pm

there will be news on Owen this tuesday, we will just have to waite and see. if its good news then we might know a bit on monday.

by **red marauder** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 3:45 pm

I'm not convinced Rafa has any intention of keeping Baros. He has had ample opportunities to play him but still he refuses to.Having first refusal on Owen,he knows that the sale of Baros will bring him the funds to sign him. M.O has been in the papers saying that he has not dismissed the newcastle offer,but this is a case of him keeping his options open. If baros goes, expect Owen to make his return.

I am the red man,You are the red men, you know the chorus, live-
live-erpool!!

by **109-1093441336** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 3:48 pm

More excited by the rumour of Miguel than walking trophy Owen.

by **SevillaFCfans** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 6:00 pm

In my opinion, Owen is a very good player, but Real Madrid is destroyed to this player.
Viva el Sevilla!!!!

by **dosserboy** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:55 pm

A.B. wrote:
Liverpool make first moves to bring back Owen
By Oliver Kay
LIVERPOOL will make the first official moves towards re-signing Michael Owen next week after edging closer to the sale of Milan Baros. Aston Villa made a fresh inquiry about Baros yesterday and are believed to be close to securing a £6.5 million deal for the Czech Republic forward, opening the door for Owen to return to the Merseyside club after becoming surplus to requirements at Real Madrid.

Numerous obstacles remain before a deal can be reached, with Liverpool’s plans to take the forward on loan unlikely to meet approval from Real, and it is unlikely to be resolved long before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. But it is increasingly clear that Anfield is the forward’s most likely destination, even though Graeme Souness maintains that Newcastle United have “a good chance” of signing Owen.

In Liverpool’s case, everything hinges on Baros, who will be in the squad for today’s match away to Middlesbrough but has no prospect of a long-term future under Rafael Benítez. The club’s top priorities, as spelt out by Benítez yesterday, are a centre half and a right winger but, after considerable encouragement from his board, the manager has clearly softened his stance over the forward he sold to Real for £8 million 12 months ago.

Benítez’s comments yesterday could be interpreted either way, but they did show he is open to the idea, which he had hitherto denied. “Michael Owen is a good player, so I can’t say no,” he said. “I don’t know at the moment if we can do something about the strikers because we are waiting on a good offer for Milan. If we don’t get that offer, we can’t do anything about it, (but) there are no problems between me and Michael. He’s a good player and a nice boy, a good professional.”

Now that a deal for Baros is imminent, Liverpool are expected to make contact with Real, who will demand considerably more than they paid for him last August but less than the £16 million valuation proposed earlier in the summer.

With (McDonalds Buccaneers) having retreated to the background — though not quite disappeared from contention completely — it is Newcastle who pose the greatest threat to Liverpool’s bid. They have the resources to make a higher cash offer than Liverpool, which is one reason for the optimism outlined by Souness yesterday.

“We know everything about Michael’s situation,” the Newcastle manager said. “He is a target. He’s a top player but we also have other targets. Without exciting the fans too much, I think there is a good chance. We are still in there

Think he might sign now A.B.?

by **matrix** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:31 pm

we will no more once baros has been sold to whoever im starting to feel like owen is coming but i would like to know one way or the other as im getting excited about the owen arrival michael might have made the difference in a game like today lets hope lfc make a move and end owens hell :cool:

by **Paul C** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:59 pm

SevillaFCfans wrote:In my opinion, Owen is a very good player, but Real Madrid is destroyed to this player.
Viva el Sevilla!!!!

I would like Owen back but if not Owen then I would have like to see Saviola at Anfield, do you rate him?

by **Dalglish** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:05 am

Saviola ? He's OK

Seriously though I think if LFC are baulking at paying the £12 million it would cost for MO we have NO CHANCE of getting Saviola

The player (Saviola) hasn't expressed a wish to play for us and I don't think he's interested tbh but we can but dream

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