michael owen ? good or bad guys ?
United aim to land Toon striker for £7million
FERGIE LAUNCHES OWEN BID
By ANDY DUNN and DAVID HARRISON
MANCHESTER UNITED have taken the first steps in a sensational move to sign Michael Owen.
Informal contact has been made between United and Owen's representatives over a summer transfer.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he can snap up the England striker for a cut-price £7million and is pushing for a speedy conclusion to the deal.
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The United boss is convinced Owen can provide the missing ingredient to his strike force – a penalty box predator who can convert half chances.
Fergie confirmed this week that an Owen-type striker was high on his list of summer targets.
Louis Saha looks certain to be unloaded and Sir Alex said: "We will buy. Along with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, we may need experience in one forward position, somebody to take over from Ryan Giggs eventually."
Owen's recent goal-scoring form has convinced Fergie he can still cut it at the highest level. However, he would probably want to sign the striker on an incentive-based contract, dependent on games and goals.
Immediate
United's interest comes at a time when Owen's future at Newcastle has been thrown into serious doubt.
Talks have yet to begin on a new contract and the indications are that he will be expected to take a £40,000-a-week cut on his £120,000-a-week earnings.
That will be rejected by Owen and he will either press for an immediate move or see out the last year of his deal and go for free in 2009.
Meanwhile, Fergie will pick up a £500,000 bonus if he leads United to the double and nd his weekly wages will rise from £70,000 to £90,000.
on recent form you'd say it wouldnt be a bad buy but i dont think we need another small striker ? what do you think guys ?