Liverpool get real on Owen

LIVERPOOL are expected to open formal talks with Real Madrid for the transfer of Michael Owen over the weekend and believe they can land their former player before the transfer deadline for as little as a £4million down payment.

It is understood the 25-year-old and his advisors are not interested in Newcastle’s club record bid for the England striker, leaving the way open for Liverpool to declare their hand.

Manager Rafael Benitez will insist the Anfield club do not pay over the odds for a player they were forced to sell to Madrid for just £8million last summer.