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Owen moves to real completed
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:57 pmby lakes10
Owen moves to Real
Michael Owen has completed his move from Liverpool to Real Madrid after passing a medical.
Owen, 24, is to sign a four-year deal with Real in a move which is expected to net Liverpool £8m plus midfielder Antonio Nunez.
"I was very happy with Michael and I wanted him to stay. The problem was he only had a year left on his contract," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Owen is to be officially unveiled at the Bernabeau on Saturday.
It is thought he will return to England over the weekend to join up with the national team squad as they congregate to prepare for the friendly against Ukraine on Wednesday.
Benitez, who took over at Anfield during the summer, says he will use the money generated from the Owen transfer to continue his rebuilding at the club.
He added: "Real Madrid started talking with his agent and in the end it was an impossible situation to control.
"The money from his sale will be used to balance the team.
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:57 pmby lakes10
i think this is a sad day for liverpool fc
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:58 pmby whitehouse
what happens now if the nunez deal falls through
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:59 pmby Ciggy
Hes even took a pay cut theres somethin someones not tellin us I think its cause he wont be raffas golden boy 
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:00 pmby lakes10
not sure it will but we might just pull some kid of the street and stick him up front as he will fit in well with the left overs
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:01 pmby the great one
lakes10 wrote:not sure it will but we might just pull some kid of the street and stick him up front as he will fit in well with the left overs
i'll do it 
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:01 pmby lakes10
We still have good forwards here and a good team. We did our best to keep him but, as I say, in the end it was a difficult situation for us."
He added: "I talked with him a lot of times and the only thing I can say is I wish him all the best."
came through the ranks at the Bernabeu but made just 11 appearances for Real last season as he found it hard to secure a regular first-team berth.
He is expected to sign a two-year contract with the option to extend the deal to a third season.
"It is never going to be satisfactory leaving the best team in the world but playing for Liverpool is a dream come true for any player," Nunez told a Spanish website.
"The deal is almost done. It is only a question of tying up a few details which should be no problem although Real will retain an option to buy me back in the future.
I've always made a point of following the games in the English league because it is the sort of football that I like to play and now I'm going to be part of it. I hope to adjust to it as quickly as possible."
He added: "Even if Owen hadn't signed for Liverpool I already had an offer from Liverpool and I knew that the manager was keen to sign me which is something to be proud of.
"Last season I found out how hard it would be to play at Real and I know Liverpool will be the same, but I hope to get some more minutes on the pitch."
Owen was left on the bench for Liverpool's Champions League game against Graz AK on Tuesday so as not to be cup-tied and decrease his value.
With just one year left on his Liverpool contract, Owen would have been able to leave the club he has been at since he was 11-years-old for free at the end of the season.
Owen insisted he would not allow that to happen, but the Anfield bosses have decided to ensure they cash in.
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:03 pmby A.B.
Yea Anfield bosses cashed in for a low price.
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:03 pmby lakes10
oh well all is left to say is good luck owen WE WILL MISS YOU and thanks for the goals how did it feel to be a bargain bucket
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:08 pmby 72-1090627431
Be interesting to see what Owen actually has to say for himself, seeing as there was no press conference etc!
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:10 pmby the great one
we won't here him till maybe wednesday at the england game
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:20 pmby A.B.
Good to know, can't miss that now can I.
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:20 pmby the great one
unless your scottish
Posted:
Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:22 pmby A.B.
the great one wrote:unless your scottish
lol, good thing theres Sky Sports News here in the US