Souness: Magpies still looking to steal Owen

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has admitted he would face stiff competition if he tried to bring Real Madrid striker Michael Owen to St James’ Park.

The Scot revealed on a radio phone-in last night that England frontman Owen is the type of player he is looking to recruit to help Newcastle’s quest for honours.

Souness said this morning: “I was asked about players who we would like at the club and his name was mentioned. I will say the same as I said last night - that type of player is the type of player we would be interested in.

“But we would not be alone. I would imagine there would be a lot of clubs out there interested in Michael Owen and people like him.”

Souness, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Cup clash with Heerenveen, added: “We are after bringing quality players to the club.

“We will have to wait until the end of the season to see whether he is available but it is that level of player we should be looking to bring here if we are looking to win things.”

Souness has already been linked with moves for former Magpie Jon Dahl Tomasson and there are suggestions he made a tentative inquiry about Owen during the January transfer window.

“I cannot talk about Michael Owen,” he said. “He is contracted to Real Madrid and he is involved in big stuff out there, like the Champions League last night.

“Our concern is trying to win a very difficult game tomorrow.”