Owen In Limbo: Robinho Signed

[Shivek]

Owen in limbo: Robinho signed

Real Madrid have announced that Robinho will join the Spanish giants from Santos on a five-year deal on August 25 in a move which could have serious implications for Michael Owen.

Real, who have been chasing the 21-year-old since the winter transfer window, confirmed the impending arrival of the player with a statement on the club's official website.

'Real Madrid and Santos have arrived at an agreement for the transfer of Robinho,' it said.

Robinho's arrival will bring the number of Brazilian strikers at a club coached by a Brazilian, Wanderley Luxemburgo, to three.

A £17million move for Sevilla's Julio Baptista was completed last night and Ronaldo is already in place.

Meanwhile, Madrid favourite and Spain international Raul is thought to be untouchable.

Owen, who did not secure a starting place following his move to the Bernabeu last summer, has been linked with a return to England with Arsenal and Newcastle said to be among those interested.

Neither Santos not Real Madrid have confirmed a fee, although it is thought Robinho - one of the hottest properties in world football - will cost Madrid around £20million.

Robinho was strongly linked with Premiership champions Chelsea earlier in the summer, but the player clearly indicated his preferred destination after starring for Brazil in their successful Confederations Cup campaign in June.

'My desire is to play for Real Madrid,' he said after Brazil's 4-1 win over Argentina in the final of the competition.

'I want to leave Santos and I want to resolve this quickly. I don't have the mind to play here again.

'Real Madrid are the best club in the world. I will only leave to go to Madrid.'

Real came close to securing Robinho's signature late last year, but the deal was postponed when his mother was kidnapped on November 6. She was later released on December 17.

However, when Luxemburgo - who steered Santos to the 2004 Brazilian championship - took over as coach of Real Madrid on December 30, speculation mounted that Robinho would move to Spain.

The move failed to materialise in January, with Robinho insisting that he was happy at Santos.

However the appeal of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world has ultimately proved too much to resist.

Last season Real finished second to champions Barcelona in the Primera Liga, and finished the campaign without a trophy for the second season in a row.

Well, this looks like Owen cud make a comeback in Premiership but which team?

[Davey]

Owen in limbo: Robinho signed

Real Madrid have announced that Robinho will join the Spanish giants from Santos on a five-year deal on August 25 in a move which could have serious implications for Michael Owen.

Real, who have been chasing the 21-year-old since the winter transfer window, confirmed the impending arrival of the player with a statement on the club's official website.

'Real Madrid and Santos have arrived at an agreement for the transfer of Robinho,' it said.

Robinho's arrival will bring the number of Brazilian strikers at a club coached by a Brazilian, Wanderley Luxemburgo, to three.

A £17million move for Sevilla's Julio Baptista was completed last night and Ronaldo is already in place.

Meanwhile, Madrid favourite and Spain international Raul is thought to be untouchable.

Owen, who did not secure a starting place following his move to the Bernabeu last summer, has been linked with a return to England with Arsenal and Newcastle said to be among those interested.

Neither Santos not Real Madrid have confirmed a fee, although it is thought Robinho - one of the hottest properties in world football - will cost Madrid around £20million.

Robinho was strongly linked with Premiership champions Chelsea earlier in the summer, but the player clearly indicated his preferred destination after starring for Brazil in their successful Confederations Cup campaign in June.

'My desire is to play for Real Madrid,' he said after Brazil's 4-1 win over Argentina in the final of the competition.

'I want to leave Santos and I want to resolve this quickly. I don't have the mind to play here again.

'Real Madrid are the best club in the world. I will only leave to go to Madrid.'

Real came close to securing Robinho's signature late last year, but the deal was postponed when his mother was kidnapped on November 6. She was later released on December 17.

However, when Luxemburgo - who steered Santos to the 2004 Brazilian championship - took over as coach of Real Madrid on December 30, speculation mounted that Robinho would move to Spain.

The move failed to materialise in January, with Robinho insisting that he was happy at Santos.

However the appeal of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world has ultimately proved too much to resist.

Last season Real finished second to champions Barcelona in the Primera Liga, and finished the campaign without a trophy for the second season in a row. 

Well, this looks like Owen cud make a comeback in Premiership but which team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think he will leave, but if he does I think Newcastle will be the most likely destination, we need a striker soooo bad, we only have Shearer and ameobi as senior strikers and I still like to think we are a big club so hopefully we could attract him

[Shivek]

Owen in limbo: Robinho signed

Real Madrid have announced that Robinho will join the Spanish giants from Santos on a five-year deal on August 25 in a move which could have serious implications for Michael Owen.

Real, who have been chasing the 21-year-old since the winter transfer window, confirmed the impending arrival of the player with a statement on the club's official website.

'Real Madrid and Santos have arrived at an agreement for the transfer of Robinho,' it said.

Robinho's arrival will bring the number of Brazilian strikers at a club coached by a Brazilian, Wanderley Luxemburgo, to three.

A £17million move for Sevilla's Julio Baptista was completed last night and Ronaldo is already in place.

Meanwhile, Madrid favourite and Spain international Raul is thought to be untouchable.

Owen, who did not secure a starting place following his move to the Bernabeu last summer, has been linked with a return to England with Arsenal and Newcastle said to be among those interested.

Neither Santos not Real Madrid have confirmed a fee, although it is thought Robinho - one of the hottest properties in world football - will cost Madrid around £20million.

Robinho was strongly linked with Premiership champions Chelsea earlier in the summer, but the player clearly indicated his preferred destination after starring for Brazil in their successful Confederations Cup campaign in June.

'My desire is to play for Real Madrid,' he said after Brazil's 4-1 win over Argentina in the final of the competition.

'I want to leave Santos and I want to resolve this quickly. I don't have the mind to play here again.

'Real Madrid are the best club in the world. I will only leave to go to Madrid.'

Real came close to securing Robinho's signature late last year, but the deal was postponed when his mother was kidnapped on November 6. She was later released on December 17.

However, when Luxemburgo - who steered Santos to the 2004 Brazilian championship - took over as coach of Real Madrid on December 30, speculation mounted that Robinho would move to Spain.

The move failed to materialise in January, with Robinho insisting that he was happy at Santos.

However the appeal of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world has ultimately proved too much to resist.

Last season Real finished second to champions Barcelona in the Primera Liga, and finished the campaign without a trophy for the second season in a row. 

Well, this looks like Owen cud make a comeback in Premiership but which team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think he will leave, but if he does I think Newcastle will be the most likely destination, we need a striker soooo bad, we only have Shearer and ameobi as senior strikers and I still like to think we are a big club so hopefully we could attract him

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If u think Newcastle are currently a "big" club then u r wrong. But i think this season wud turn out to be good for Newcastle coz of their new buyings. Where's Bellamy?

[Jockstar]

Where's Bellamy?

At Blackburn if my memory serves me right.

[Shivek]

Where's Bellamy?

At Blackburn if my memory serves me right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why did he go there? He was a fine player for Newcastle. Newcastle need a new striker now.

[Davey]

Where's Bellamy?

At Blackburn if my memory serves me right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why did he go there? He was a fine player for Newcastle. Newcastle need a new striker now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hence my idea that Owen might come to Newcastle...

Bellamy left because he was basically forced out of the club, don't know how much you follow Newcastle but he didn't do himself any favours. Personally I used to be a fan of Bellamy and he was a good player for us. I presume he went to Blackburn because of Mark Hughes, his ex-wales manager, they have a good relationship

Also, would you please like to tell me why Newcastle is not a big club? we are one if the biggest in the world let along England

Edited July 31, 2005 by Davey

[lampard10]

Also, would you please like to tell me why Newcastle is not a big club?  we are one if the biggest in the world let along England

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Used to be; used to be. St James Park used to be with Anfield the two fortresses of English football. Not any more I'm afaraid

[nev]

from what the papers say,and on a few sites i visit he is going to man utd.

[Sarpedon]

Looks like Man U will be Owens likely destination. Arsenal have come out and said thay are not interested. I doubt Newcastle would be attractive to Owen...I think he would want to be playing CL football...

[easy_jim]

I would think anywhere he can get in the first team would be attractive to Owen right now. He won't get a look in at Real Madrid and with the World Cup coming up next summer he needs to be playing.

[Amethyst]

Bellamy have got lots of problems while he was at Newcastle

[Sarpedon]

Bellamy has had problems at pretty much all of the clubs he has been at. With a hardliner like Souness it was always going to be explosive and thats what happened.

He might get on better at Blackburn working under Hughes who he knows from the national set up but i think Bellamy is just a bit of a troublemaker and a disruptive influence (just my opinion).

I think Owen would play on a regular basis at Man U. Nistelrooy is not scoring at all and is just scrapping with his team mates too. Saha may well be sold. Rooney and Owen in the same team is good news in terms of the England team...

[ThaiPauly]

I think he will go to United, I am sure that Liverpool would love to have him back, but will not make a move for him.

Newcastle is out of the question I think. Big Club, the last time they had their hands on any silverware was 1969 if my memory serves me well I think they won the Fairs Cup.

Anyway after Madrid who would want to move up there? I lived there for a while froze my nuts off, (although I refused to go oout on da toon without a bloody coat in December).

Not HARD enough I am afraid-Sothern Softie I think I'm known as up there, but I really DO LIKE GEORDIES, great people.

Blackburn now have the fierisest 3 players in the Premiership, savage, Bellamy and Dikov, dont think they will win the fair play league and I wonder how many games they will finish with 10 men?

[Davey]

I'm still sceptical as to whether Owen will go to man utd ...There is no way ruud will be left out, he is too good and too clinical to leave out. Rooney is also another certainty with man u, so there is two strikers already. However man utd have sort of adopted a 4 3 3 so possibly Owen could be that third. But then whats happens to Saha, Smith and Solksjear? 6 strikers at a club is hard to maintain

I still think we are in with a shout (Newcastle that is). He is guarenteed first team football, which he desperately needs. He will have the opportunity to play with the best striker he has ever played with in Shearer (that one is not even disputeable). Also with him being a liverpool fan since a young'un possibly he has some sort of admiration for souness and would love to work with him? long shot maybe but were geordies we have to dream, as some1 rightfully pointed out we aint won a trophy since '69 and it was the fairs cup, now the uefa of course.

[Shivek]

Man Utd cud buy Owen, here's the news:

Gill opens door for United Owen move

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the green light to bid for Michael Owen and must now decide whether the England striker fits into his plans.

Ferguson already has four international strikers at his disposal in Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha and Alan Smith.

There is also the prospect of Ole Gunner Solsjkaer returning to fitness this season, while David Bellion provides another option.

However Owen's scoring record at the highest level is proven, and United have indicated they would back Ferguson should he want to bring Owen back to the Premiership from Real Madrid.

United chief executive David Gill said: 'The money is there for Alex.

'If he identifies a talent that he thinks will improve the squad - and that is the crucial thing - the funds are available.

'The Glazers have said that if there is a big player out there who is available, then the money is there to go for him.

'We can still afford a lot of money for top players and at the same time we are also able to develop many of our own.'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was coy last night regarding Owen, neither firmly dismissing the possibility of Owen coming to Highbury nor stating that he was a prime target.

'At the moment I'm not looking for a striker. I'm looking at some other areas,' he said on Sky Sports. 'I have not made any approach for Michael Owen.'

While Madrid have yet to comment on Owen's future, the signings over the weekend of strikers Julio Baptista and Robinho at a cost approaching £40million have left him as the club's fifth-choice striker, behind the new arrivals plus Raul and Ronaldo.

Owen cost Madrid £8million last summer and they are expected to seek a profit, however United may be in a strong position if they are the only bidding club.

The 25-year-old knows he cannot afford to sit on the bench too long with the World Cup finals fast approaching, and there has also been reported interest from Liverpool and Newcastle, suggesting possible movement this week.

Meanwhile, Roberto Carlos has dismissed speculation that Raul might be the fall-guy following the arrival of Robinho and Baptista.

'We have signed good players but Raul is a Madrid great and is very important to the team,' said the Brazilian full-back. 'I do not believe that he is a substitute.'

[Sarpedon]

Nistelrooy is firing blanks at the moment...couldnt hit a barn door from 6 yards. Ferguson is grooming Smith to become an attacking midfielder, possibly taking over Keanes role next season. Ferguson reckons Keane has one more season in him. If Owen is bought then Saha will be sold, with Monaco looking a likely destination.

Bellion will probably be sold. Solskjaer (super sub) will only play a bit part as he has done for how many seasons before this, once he fully recovers from his injury.

[ThaiPauly]

Nistelrooy is firing blanks at the moment...couldnt hit a barn door from 6 yards. Ferguson is grooming Smith to become an attacking midfielder, possibly taking over Keanes role next season. Ferguson reckons Keane has one more season in him. If Owen is bought then Saha will be sold, with Monaco looking a likely destination.

Bellion will probably be sold. Solskjaer (super sub) will only play a bit part as he has done for how many seasons before this, once he fully recovers from his injury.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With you all the way , well thought out Post. Solskjaer is washed up now, and will only be a bit oart player if at all, he has done his job for United. Bellion (who's he) Is Fortune still there,? never set anything alight when he was. Only competiotion for Owen is Ronaldo the winger. Smith is happy to drop back to save his place in the United squad and Saha was never Man Utd material anyway. Van and Rooney in the middle with Owen and Ronaldo on the flanks and it could be interesting!! Yeah keane has only one more season in him so needs replacing, if Smoth could do the job, Ferdinand signs that contract and I can see United finishing SECOND this season.

By the way I dont much like MU, but fair play, if they can get Owen I think they will do well.

BTW, Owen WILL NOT go to Newcastle, Souness was a CRAP manager there so I hardly think he would command Ownns respect. the guy wants Champions League Footie, and he aint never gonna get it on Tyneside is he?)

[Davey]

Nistelrooy is firing blanks at the moment...couldnt hit a barn door from 6 yards. Ferguson is grooming Smith to become an attacking midfielder, possibly taking over Keanes role next season. Ferguson reckons Keane has one more season in him. If Owen is bought then Saha will be sold, with Monaco looking a likely destination.

Bellion will probably be sold. Solskjaer (super sub) will only play a bit part as he has done for how many seasons before this, once he fully recovers from his injury.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With you all the way , well thought out Post. Solskjaer is washed up now, and will only be a bit oart player if at all, he has done his job for United. Bellion (who's he) Is Fortune still there,? never set anything alight when he was. Only competiotion for Owen is Ronaldo the winger. Smith is happy to drop back to save his place in the United squad and Saha was never Man Utd material anyway. Van and Rooney in the middle with Owen and Ronaldo on the flanks and it could be interesting!! Yeah keane has only one more season in him so needs replacing, if Smoth could do the job, Ferdinand signs that contract and I can see United finishing SECOND this season.

By the way I dont much like MU, but fair play, if they can get Owen I think they will do well.

BTW, Owen WILL NOT go to Newcastle, Souness was a CRAP manager there so I hardly think he would command Ownns respect. the guy wants Champions League Footie, and he aint never gonna get it on Tyneside is he?)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Souness was a great player for Liverpool though ...and I think Owen wants WORLD CUP football more than anything else, he would be guarenteed a place at Newcastle and with a season to go until the world cup, it is essential he is a first team regular, something he isn't certain of at man u or real.