Real's Brazilian duo spark Owen transfer speculation

England striker Michael Owen, pictured May 2005, who has dropped further down Real Madrid's hierarchy after recent signings, will be allowed to leave the Spanish first division club.

England striker Michael Owen, who has dropped further down Real Madrid's hierarchy after recent signings, will be allowed to leave the Spanish first division club.

Madrid's recent purchases of Santos striker Robinho and Sevilla's Julio Baptista, adding to Raul and Ronaldo who are already at the Bernabeu stadium, has meant Owen is in fifth spot for a starting place.

"Michael is popular with the fans and he is popular within the club, but if he comes to us and says that he believes the best thing for him is to leave, we will have to respect that," a Real source told the Sunday Times.

Owen cannot afford to not play first team football with the World Cup finals in Germany at the end of the season and speculation has been mounting of a return to the Premiership.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle are reportedly the most likely destinations for Owen with United top of the list.

One should not ignore the possibility of the England striker heading back to Liverpool.

According to Jim Boardman of the supporters website, AnfieldRoad.com the majority of Liverpool supporters would warmly welcome Owen if he decided to leave Real Madrid.

Boardman said: "I would say 75% of the supporters would be in favour of bringing him back for the right price.

Whether manager Rafael Benitez would like to see him back in Liverpool's colours is open to debate.

"Benitez would be wary, unless the right price was paid. But is is definitely possible."

Since 1998 Owen was Liverpool's top scorer every season until he joined Real Madrid in August 2004.

During the summer of 1998 he achieved worldwide fame following his stunning strike in the World Cup second round clash between England against Argentina. His sensational hat-trick in England's 5-1 win over Germany saw him become the first England player since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick against Germany.

The 2001 European footballer of the year started last season as third choice behind Ronaldo and Raul in Madrid, and on the same level as Fernando Morientes who left to join Liverpool in January.

However Owen's starring role as substitute led to his promotion to the first team, with the fans embracing the England man as he finished the campaign with 13 league goals from 20 starts.