Owen Has Toon As Second Choice

The England striker, 25, has the blessing of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who has promised to help him to try to seal the move back to Anfield. Failing that, the player is prepared to accept a one-year loan deal with Newcastle, with his first-team chances at the Bernabeu further limited by the summer signings of Robinho and Julio Baptista.

Owen said: "I met the Real Madrid president before Tuesday night's friendly at the Bernabeu and we discussed my future. I said that my ideal situation was to start the season in the Real Madrid team and if not I would prefer to return to Liverpool.

"The president understood and said he would try to help me achieve this. If the transfer cannot be finalised in time I have agreed to go to Newcastle United but only on a one-year loan. I need to be playing regularly in World Cup year. I am most grateful to Senor Perez for his personal concern about my career. I have really enjoyed being part of his Real Madrid team."

Owen scored 158 goals in 297 games for the Reds, before leaving the club for Madrid last summer. But many believe Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is only making a smoke screen and doesn't really want the player back at Anfield.

"I want other players first, I am happy with my five strikers even now Milan Baros has gone," the Spaniard said after his side's 3-2 aggregate win over CSKA Sofia in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

So, for the first time since the signing of Emre months ago ... Newcastle could actually be in the driving seat on this deal!