Football Corner

Michael Owen has today come nearer a return to England as he held talks with both Newcastle and Liverpool. Owen had on Monday his first meeting with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez since leaving Anfield, before meeting a Newcastle delegation for more talks. Owen favours a move to Liverpool, but the club only want to pay a similar fee to the £8m Madrid paid for him.

Newcastle have already agreed a £17million fee with Real for the free scoring striker, but a return to Anfield seems more likely in the next 24 hours. Liverpool would offer Owen Champions League football in a World Cup season, while Newcastle are second bottom of the Premiership and have yet to score a goal in four games.



Owen was left out of Real Madrid's squad to face Cadiz on Sunday and had a two and a half hour meeting with Liverpool Rafa Benitez. The 25-year-old striker spent several hours with a delegation including Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, manager Graeme Souness and captain Alan Shearer.



Owen has said before that he would only move to Newcastle on a season long loan deal, although the Magpies are trying to sign him in a permanent deal.

Owen is a great player and I'm sure any club in the Premiership would want him in their team. I think Owen will end up going to Liverpool because they have Champions League football while Newcastle don't have any European football this season, also he used to play for Liverpool and still loves the club. Real would obviously prefer if he went to Newcastle because they would gain more money but sure Real aren't stuck for money.