Owen Goal

New Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that England striker Michael Owen will sign for Spanish giants, Real Madrid.



The deal is believed to involve a fee of £8m plus midfielder Antonio Nunez.

"Michael will have a medical with Madrid before the deal is completed," said Benitez.

With just one year left on his Liverpool contract, Owen would have been able to leave the club he has been at since he was 11-years-old for free at the end of the season.

In a summer of speculation surrounding Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney, no one expected Michael Owen being the biggest move of the close season.

With the recent departures of Michael Owen and Danny Murphy, Liverpool's first XI contains just two scousers - Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher

"Liverpool have lost some camaraderie with more English players leaving and other players coming in," said Murphy as he left Anfield last week.

I wonder if Steven Gerrard regrets the change of heart he had over his £31m summer move to Chelsea?