Manchester United are poised to make a sensational swoop for Real Madrid striker Michael Owen after the Spanish club revealed the door was open for the former Liverpool player to return to the Premiership. United boss Alex Ferguson will make a €16 million bid, according to reports.
Owen, who scored 16 goals for Real last season, has been pushed down the pecking order at the Spanish giants after the signings of Brazilians Robinho and Julio Baptista.
And the 25-year-old will be available to return to England if United can meet the €16 million buy-out clause in Owen's contract.
A senior source told British paper The Sunday Times they would not stand in Owen's way should they receive a bid for him.
"Michael is popular with the fans and he is popular with the club," said the source.
"But if he comes to us and says he believes the best thing for him is to leave, we will have to respect that."
"He has been a great servant to us, we will treat him with the utmost decency and respect," he added.
"And in the event that he decides to go, while obviously looking out for our own interests, we will be sure to look out for his too."
RAFA SNUB
Now surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu with Real's two new signings and Ronaldo and Raul both fighting for places, Owen could find himself reduced to fifth choice if he remains in the Spanish capital.
Having already been linked with former club Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle, Owen's advisers gave his old club first refusal on bringing their former hero back to Anfield.
But Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez seems to have rejected the opportunity, opting instead for Southampton striker Peter Crouch in a €10m deal.
Despite running the risk of feeling his former fans' wrath, Owen could be tempted by the United move, which would allow him to live in his luxury North Wales mansion he renovated only one hour's drive away from United's training ground.
Having lost out to Real in the Baptista saga, Arsenal could also be tempted to make a move.
Source