Liverpool striker Owen in £10M Real Madrid move

Liverpool striker Michael Owen is expected to sign for Real Madrid this week.

The Sun says any deal involving Owen moving to the Bernabeu will see Liverpool receive around £10million, plus either Samuel Eto'o or Fernando Morientes.

Spanish giants Real were last night still refusing to officially confirm their interest in the prolific hitman.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez was cagey on Owen's future after last night's triumph against Graz AK.

Benitez said: "Michael did not play because Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse played - that's all."

"When I decide the 11 to start I have every confidence in them and we have FOUR good strikers at the club."

"I like the best, the good players. Michael's here now isn't he?"

"I'm sorry I can't talk about the future, just the match. And I'm pleased with the way we played."

And on the question of whether Real have made an official approach, he added: "I don't want to say anything at this time. I'm sorry - but that's it."

"I understand that you talk about Michael. As I have said before I don't know about the future. At this moment he is with us and he is one of four forwards."

"I picked 11 players for this match and Michael was not in the team."

And when directly asked if he wanted Owen to stay at Anfield he said simply: "I always like the best players but I can say that Baros played well and we won."

Gerrard admitted: "I'm not sure whether or not Michael is going. As far as I'm concerned, he's a Liverpool player."