Owen Expects Madrid Start to Season

By Nick Raynor
August 8 2005

Newcastle United target, Micheal Owen, is assuming to start the new season at Real Madrid.

The England striker is ready to make a move to the Premiership if the right offer comes in, with Manchester United and Newcastle both being linked, but only the Tyneside club have declared an interest.

 

Owen said:

 

"For now, I am assuming that I will be starting next season with Real,"

 

"But if not, I want to be ready for any challenge that lies ahead.

 

"Real Madrid phoned my advisers last Sunday afternoon and made the point that the arrival of Robinho and Baptista made no difference to me - they wanted me to stay.

 

"However, knowing the importance of World Cup finals year, they said that if there was a possible transfer that suited everyone, I had their permission to explore it but there was no pressure to make any decision that did not suit me.

 

"This information was conveyed to a small group of clubs and we have until August 31 to see if anything happens."

 

"As far as new signings at the Bernabeu are concerned, the move for Robinho had been spoken about for several months, although the arrival of Julio Baptista was unexpected.

 

"The transfer window will close in three weeks' time and then I will know where I will be playing my football next season.

 

"I look back on the past year with a lot of good memories. If I had to make the decision again I would still have chosen Real.

 

"It is an experience that has developed me as a player and as a person."