[lfc-news] Make me a Red, pleads former strike star Owen - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 24 Aug 2005
Make me a Red, pleads former strike star Owen
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

MICHAEL OWEN has issued a desperate 'come and get me' plea to Liverpool.

But he said that if the Reds do not respond, he will move to Newcastle
on a year-long loan.

The former Reds' star held talks with Real Madrid president

Florentino Perez last night. And afterwards he issued a statement
saying: "I met the Real Madrid president before last night's friendly at
the Bernabeu and we discussed my future.

"I said that my ideal situation was to start the season in the Real
Madrid team and if not I would prefer to return to Liverpool.

"The president understood and said he would try to help me achieve this.
If the transfer cannot be finalised in time I have agreed to go to
Newcastle United but only on a one-year loan. I need to be playing
regularly in World Cup year.

"I am most grateful to Senor Perez for his personal concern about my
career. I have really enjoyed being part of his Real Madrid team."

Liverpool will welcome Owen's statement of intent, but will not make any
public comment until after Friday's Super Cup Final in Monaco against
CSKA Moscow.

Despite his repeated claims that a centre-back and a right-winger are
his transfer priorities, boss Rafael Benitez is keenly aware the Reds
lack firepower.

But the question of Owen's huge salary would have to be resolved before
any transfer could become a a reality. Owen scored 158 goals in 297
games for the Reds, before leaving the club for Madrid last summer.

Owen scored 16 goals for Real last season despite being used primarily
as a substitute.

His first-team chances were further affected by the summer signings of
Brazilian forwards Robinho and Julio Baptista.

Yesterday Everton manager David Moyes revealed his club had spoken to
Owen's representatives, but the player rejected a move to Goodison Park.

Newcastle are desperate to recruit a striker and released a statement
this morning claiming they had agreed a record fee with Real Madrid for
Owen.

The announcement, however, sounds like posturing from the under-pressure
Magpies, with Owen's heart set on a return to Anfield.

* Defender Stephen Warnock has extended his Anfield contract until 2008.

Warnock's contract was due to expire next summer, but he signed a
two-year extension following the team's two-leg victory over CSKA Sofia
in the final round of Champions League qualifying.

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