Eriksson wants Owen at United
The England striker, who was not a first-team regular at Real Madrid last season, has dropped even further down the Bernabeu pecking order following the summer arrivals of Brazilian pair Robinho and Julio Baptista.
Real Madrid are prepared to let him go and Owen revealed yesterday he has had “brief dialogue with three or four Premiership clubs” about a possible return to the Barclays Premiership.
Eriksson has a clear preference where he would like Owen to play his football.
What I read, what I have heard is that it might be a possibility that Manchester United takes him and as England coach I should not complain if that is the case,” said Eriksson.
“For him to work every day with Wayne Rooney can only make England better.
“Michael Owen has been a great player for many years wherever he has played - Liverpool or Real Madrid. For the big games he is always there and he has scored 32 goals for England. That is a lot and he is just 25 years old. He is still young. We forget that sometimes.
“If I was manager of a big club in England I would go for Michael Owen, that is for sure.”
Real Madrid have told Owen they would like him to stay at the Bernabeu but will not stand in his way if the right offer comes in from England.
Newcastle are believed to be one of the four clubs Owen has spoken to, with manager Graeme Souness admitting that the 25-year-old was “the type of player we need to be attracting to this club.”
Manchester United have so far refused to comment specifically on the possibility of him linking up with Rooney at Old Trafford.
However, chief executive David Gill dropped a big hint that the manager Alex Ferguson may be interested when he said earlier this week: “The money is there for Alex.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would not entirely rule himself out of the running when he said: “I have not made any approach for Michael Owen.”
However, he did add: “At the moment I’m not looking for a striker. I’m looking at some other areas.”
The possibility of Owen making an emotional return to Anfield appears to be remote, however, with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez having recently spent £7million on Peter Crouch.
Benitez said this week: “I am looking for a centre-back and not a centre forward.”
Gerard Houllier is also said to be mooting a bid to bring his former protégé to Lyon.
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