We all know of the special clause in Michael Owen's contract stipulating that Liverpool may take up an option to re-sign him at the end of this season. But the England international has played down speculation suggesting he could return to Anfield, although many of us know that is where his heart is.
Owen stalled on talks to every club that wanted him, giving Liverpool the chance to snap him up after it was made plain he was leaving Real Madrid, but the Reds wouldn't go anywhere near the asking price. Feddy Shepherd did, but the clause had to be included in the deal.
Having joined the Mags for £17 million in August, reports coming from the North East have asserted that the England man could return to his former club for a knockdown fee of £12.5 million. But Owen, who will return to Anfield in a playing capacity for the first time on Boxing Day, has joined Newcastle in refuting the claims, saying: "I signed a four-year contract with Newcastle and I'm very pleased with that decision."
Boxing Day will be an emotional day for him, and I for one, will be interested to see how he reacts to the reception. How many remember when Peter Beardsley waved to the Kop in the late 1980s when it was rumoured he was set to sign for them? He was a Toon player, played it down, then signed soon after.