£18m for Owen

Apparently Real Madrid has accepted a £18M bid for Owen from us. Of course, even then, that leaves the small matter of the player wanting to come to SJP, after saying all summer that Liverpool was his first choice, he wants to stay at Madrid to fight for a place, and NUFC is 3rd choice. Even if a move to SJP was considered, that was as a loan.

So, the scenario seems to be like this: Owen comes to SJP on loan for one season, score some goals, playing regularly, keeping his place in the England squad, leading England into the world cup, then leave NUFC back to Madrid again, or to Liverpool on a permanent transfer. In the grand scheme of things, where does that leave us? Without 2 strikers at the start of next season, Big al having retired, Owen's loan term over. Ameobi and Chopra to lead with any additional signings we can get. Doesnt that lead us back to square one next season as is the situation now. I have my doubts about the validty of the £18M bid, similiar to the bid we put in for the other striker in the scouser team last season. And we all remember how that ended up... Fat Fred, do not give us false hopes. We have had enough of that and empty promises. I will not believe Owen is a NUFC player (on loan/permanent) until I see a picture of him holding the black and white shirt at SJP for a press conference to announce his signing.

HTL