The truth behind Owen switch
Aug 31 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
MICHAEL OWEN sat in his north Wales mansion desperately waiting for the Anfield cavalry to arrive yesterday.
Sadly for him, and thousands of Liverpool supporters desperate to see his return, the Reds were already in the process of retreating from the pursuit of his signature.
Instead, their former striker was dragged, kicking and screaming towards a clause-ridden Newcastle contract.
This was not supposed to be the final scene of the summer's most captivating transfer saga.
Even as Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd announced Owen's imminent arrival, the Geordies risked serious embarrassment.
With the St James' Park medical team due to arrive at his north Wales home to complete the formalities, Owen was still waiting for the call from the Anfield hierarchy.
When it came around 11am yesterday morning, the conversation between Owen and Rick Parry confirmed his fears. Liverpool had neither the cash, nor the will, to spend more than £12m to buy him back.
Real Madrid said that wasn't enough while Newcastle's £16m offer was on the table. For Liverpool to sign Owen, he had to publicly reject their offer and reiterate he'd only go to Anfield.
Sending an SOS to Anfield was fine, but without a white flag, surrendering any intention to join Newcastle, it was hopeless.
Sadly, this was a concession Owen felt he couldn't take without a definite assurance his ambition to join Liverpool would be realised.
Liverpool are stunned Owen opted for the Newcastle option given his doubts about the move.
They feel had he held his nerve and flatly rejected a switch North East, Madrid's stance may have softened over the next 24 hours.
When faced with a similar situation a week ago, Milan Baros publicly rebuffed any interest from Lyon and joined Aston Villa for a smaller fee.
Fernando Morientes took the same stance last January when in the wake of Liverpool interest, Newcastle offered more.
Liverpool wanted Owen to repeat Baros and Morientes' tactics. If the Geordies thought they were chasing a lost cause, they'd have to withdraw their bid.
The Reds could then continue negotiations with the Spanish giants in a stronger position. For Liverpool to sign Owen, it had to be a one horse race.
For Owen, the risk was too great. Time was running out. He was told by Madrid there was no prospect of a deal with Liverpool and if he didn't go to Newcastle, he'd be on the sidelines until January.
The shadow of the World Cup loomed large. It seems international ambition overrides a burning desire to return to Anfield and the next six months couldn't be sacrificed.
Owen was determined to maintain contact with Newcastle as a back-up option, but by courting their attention he created a fundamental flaw in Rafael Benitez's plan to get him.
After some horrendous advice, he was even pictured meeting Newcastle officials. Hardly the actions of a man trying to send a signal to Real Madrid he didn't fancy moving to St James' Park..
As Owen strolled around a Northumberland estate on Monday night, he was inadvertently knifing his and Liverpool ' s ambitions through the heart.
Having been set a morning deadline to make his decision, he returned to north Wales resigned to moving to Newcastle.
On Tuesday morning, he was having second thoughts and made a series of frantic phone calls to Anfield officials. Unlike the recent Steven Gerrard case, however, there was nothing Liverpool could do to reassure Owen a u-turn would definitely put him back in a red shirt.
They wanted him to reject Newcastle, but this would only trigger the beginning of more negotiating with Madrid.
Benitez's policy throughout the transfer was based partly on brinkmanship, bluff, and also a test of Owen's much publicised desperation to come home.
The Liverpool boss wasn't convinced by the private messages delivered via friends or journalists.
He demanded a statement from Owen, although when it arrived it hardly dripped with enthusiasm.
Owen's advisors elected to show their client as all things to all men, tellingly citing World Cup ambition above any fervent desire to join Liverpool.
Newcastle's £16m was then instantly made public, deflecting attention from Owen's understated 'come and get me plea' to his former employers.
Madrid refused to negotiate with Liverpool unless they matched Newcastle's offer. The loan deal Liverpool wanted was now out of the question.
As long as Owen rejected Newcastle, the Reds were in the driving seat.
Benitez and Parry met Owen on Monday. There was no clause in a Liverpool contract. Personal terms were not an issue. Difficult negotiations with Madrid were.
Owen was told to reject Newcastle. Instead, he and his advisor Tony Stephens headed north.
For all the sense of deflation at losing a player of Owen's calibre to Newcastle, few will argue the Reds should have matched such a ridiculous offer.
Indeed, the only winners in this saga are Madrid. They've earned 100 per cent profit on a player who wouldn't have played for them this year.
Liverpool have shown their status as European champions hasn't given them the financial muscle to outbid lowly Premiership rivals.
Owen has joined a club against his judgment, despite admitting a week ago he wouldn't do so.
As for Newcastle, they've agreed a strange contract which isn't exactly what it says on the label.
In a year's time, Owen can leave St James' Park for a fee somewhere in the region of what Liverpool were prepared to pay.
The Geordies are laughing now, but they might be celebrating the most expensive loan deal in football history.
at certain times.
. Morientes & Crouch as our strikers.......i dont even wanna thinkA about it 