As it happens, Man City boss Sven Goran Eriksson admits only a lack of funds stopped him trying to sign the Newcastle striker this summer.
Sven Wanted Owen ... But Would Owen Join Man City?
The Eastlands chief spent £40million revamping the squad he inherited from Stuart Pearce but could not stretch to the reported £9million fee needed to trigger Owen's release clause after the Magpies failed to qualify for Europe.
Eriksson: "We thought about Michael but I was a little bit afraid of the money.
"We had a budget so I couldn't buy Ronaldinho or anything like that."
Obviously it saved Allardyce from facing the tricky position he had little control over. And I wonder if Owen would have been tempted with a move to Eastfields.
What do YOU think?