Lyon aim to beat Liverpool, Newcastle for Owen

Lyon boss Gerard Houllier is ready to beat Newcastle United and Liverpool for Real Madrid striker Michael Owen.
 
Owen played under Houllier at Liverpool.

And the Frenchman, who is now manager of Lyon, is keen to link up with England hitman Owen, 25, again.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted: "If you ask me whether I would be happy to welcome Michael Owen to the club, the answer is yes. Of course I would."

Houllier has stepped up attempts to land Owen after his other target, Liverpool's Milan Baros, insisted he was on his way to Aston Villa.

Lyon have money to burn after selling Michael Essien to Chelsea for £26million.