United close in on shock Owen deal

MANCHESTER UNITED were last night believed to be holding initial talks with Michael Owen’s representatives which, they hope, is the first step in a sensational swoop for the former Liverpool striker.

Club insiders confirmed that United have made Owen’s team of agents aware of their interest while some reports indicated the forward was already undergoing a medical.

The one-time European footballer of the year is available on a free transfer after his £110,000 (€130,000) per week contract at Newcastle expired this week.

Aston Villa, boyhood favourites Everton, Stoke and Hull were also known to be keeping tabs on his situation.

But the England star is it seems, on the verge of joining the Premier League champions, who consider the experienced striker the ideal cut-price replacement for the departing Carlos Tevez.

Bookmakers yesterday slashed the odds on Owen completing a switch to Alex Ferguson’s side, who have added just Antonio Valencia to their ranks so far this close season.

Having already lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer and missed out on Lyon frontman Karim Benzema, Ferguson is stepping up his attempts to add to his dwindling attacking options.

Owen made it clear he was exiting St James Park after Newcastle’s relegation from the top-flight and his agents compiled and distributed a dossier which detailed how the 29-year-old would make a savvy acquisition for a Premier League club.

United’s move for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star came just 24 hours after Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce ruled out a move for the striker, stating that his injury record made him too much of a gamble.

“I don’t think we could afford him and the problem with Michael, from the injury aspect, is we can ill afford to sign a player who is going to be out of the team and can’t guarantee me 36-plus games a season. It’s unfortunate for Michael but if you look at the last three years I cannot take a gamble on that.”

However, with this season climaxing in a World Cup and a move to Old Trafford signalling a return to Champions League football, it’s envisaged wages will not be a stumbling block to any possible deal.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery has confirmed he wants to leave Bayern Munich and join Real Madrid.

The France playmaker’s future has been under the spotlight since the end of the Bundesliga season although Ribery himself has remained silent.

But the 26-year-old has now admitted he would jump at the chance of joining up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu.

He said: “I have decided that I want to leave. It will be Real Madrid or nothing.

“I will wait to see how things pan out but I would like to hold talks with the Bayern management soon.”

Madrid are keen on the former Marseille man but have met with stiff resistance from Bayern, who are adamant their star player will not be leaving for Spain.

And Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness does not believe Ribery’s desire to leave alters their position.

“Does Franck want to go to Real?” he asked.

“For us, that changes absolutely anything. Life is not always a fairytale.

“Real have not made us a specific proposal and we do not need their money.”

Bayern Munich executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is similarly unconcerned by Ribery’s demand to join Real.

Rummenigge said: “We are very cool on that sort of story, really.

“Personally, I read Franck’s statement like that: either Real Madrid or nothing. And our clear reply is: nothing!

“We are not worried or making haste. We keep standing firm, Franck will remain at our club.’’