[lfc-news] Madrid coach says Owen decision already made - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 12 Aug 2004
Madrid coach says Owen decision already made
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

MICHAEL OWEN is expected to become a Real Madrid player in the next 48
hours - but the switch is likely to be a cash-only deal.

Asked about Owen following last night's Champions League victory in Poland,
Real coach Jose Antonio Camacho said: "I've heard that the decisions have
been made."

Sources in Spain say Liverpool demanded £18m for the striker but they may
have to settle for closer to £10m.

Reported makeweights Fernando Morientes and Samuel Eto'o both effectively
ruled themselves out of a switch to Anfield last night.

Morientes came off the bench to score twice against Wisla Krakow - and is
now cup-tied for the remainder of the Champions League programme.

And Camacho confirmed: "There are no plans relating to Morientes leaving
the club." African Player of the Year Eto'o, meanwhile, is convinced he is
heading to Barcelona.

In a letter published in the "Sport" newspaper yesterday, Eto'o said:
"Today I feel like a Barcelona player.

"For reasons that have nothing to do with me the deal has been delayed for
a few days, but don't worry because joining Barca is still my overwhelming
desire."

The Reds, meanwhile, are furious by reports and pictures claiming Owen had
been banished to train with the reserves yesterday.

An Anfield official said today: "It is rubbish to suggest he is some kind
of outcast.

"Everybody started yesterday's session at the same time, but the players
who played in Austria obviously finished a lot earlier than those who didn't.

" Because Michael didn't play in Graz, he carried on with the other players
who weren't involved which is when the pictures were taken over the Melwood
training ground wall.

"There was nothing sinister about it at all."

Owen's impending departure will finance a swoop for Real Sociedad
midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The 23-year-old was left out of last night's friendly against Basque rivals
Osasuna, fuelling speculation that the deal could be close to completion.

There was still no comment from Anfield on Steve Morgan's reported takeover
bid of the club.

Any such deal, however, would take five or six weeks to see through and
would have to be accepted at an EGM.


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