Lyon's eyes on Owen

Gerard Houllier could be reunited with Michael Owen if Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has his way.

The French champions will soon have money to spend after agreeing a £24m (€35m) deal with Chelsea for Michael Essien.

They are thought to be looking to strengthen their strikeforce, and despite already signing John Carew this summer, former Liverpool boss Houllier and Aulas are admirers of 25-year-old Owen.

Aulas said in The Sun: “If you ask me whether I would be happy to welcome Michael Owen to the club, the answer is yes. Of course I would.”

Owen may leave Real Madrid after the club signed Julio Baptista and Robinho this summer.

However England captain David Beckham urged him to stay yesterday, and fellow club-mate Thomas Gravesen agrees.

Gravesen, set to face both Beckham and Owen tonight in England’s friendly against Denmark, said: “It will be such a big loss if Michael leaves because he is one of the best strikers in the world – if not the very best. Every time Michael plays he scores and shows quality.”