by anfieldadorer » Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:02 pm
Owen contract hitch
By James Carroll, Date: 9/8/2004
Michael Owen is facing the biggest decision of his career after his contract talks with Liverpool hit an eleventh hour snag, thanks to interest being shown in the striker from Spain. The Liverpool Echo reports that late interest from Barcelona, along with Real Madrid, has cast doubts over Owen's Anfield future. Whether Owen plays or not in tomorrow's UEFA Champions League qualifier against AK Graz could prove to be very significant. Owen has just one year remaining on his current Liverpool contract. If he plays in tomorrow's game it will mean that he will be ineligible to play for anyone else in Europe this season. In twelve months time Owen can join another club on a free-transfer and therefore, unless the forward agrees a new deal before tomorrows game then he is unlikely to figure. Liverpool will be reluctant to play him unless he has agreed to stay as it will mean that should his contract talks break down completely, the Reds would be unlikely to get any buyers for the player this summer as he won't be able to play in European competition. Therefore, Owen must either agree to sign an extension to his contract or leave the club.