Newcastle, Liverpool close in as Real Madrid axe Owen

Michael Owen is expected to quit Real Madrid and return to the Premiership before Wednesday.
 
Owen, 25, travelled to southern Spain on Saturday night with the rest of the Madrid players for their opening La Liga clash against Cadiz expecting to be on the bench.

But he was not even among the substitutes as boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo obeyed the orders of Real's money-men.

Owen sat in the stands with fellow Englishman Jonathan Woodgate, who was also in the squad but it still waiting to make his competitive debut for Real.

The Spanish giants scraped a 2-1 win with goals from hitmen Ronaldo and Raul.

Real were last night in talks with Liverpool chiefs in a bid to finalising Owen's sale before Wednesday's transfer deadline.

Madrid chiefs have already agreed a £16million fee with Newcastle and if Reds boss Rafa Benitez fails to increase his opening offer of £8m, Perez will force the player to accept Newcastle's bid.