Real Madrid to offer Eto'o for Liverpool's Owen

Real Madrid could offer Samuel Eto'o in part-exchange for Liverpool striker Michael Owen this week.

After talks over a new contract at Liverpool stalled, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly made a move for the England ace.

Real co-own Eto'o with Mallorca and are reluctant to allow the Cameroon ace to join Barca, which has tabled a £16 million bid for the player.

Real cannot sign Eto'o outright themselves, as they do not have room for another non-EU player in this season's squad.

Instead, its been suggested the Madrid giants will spend £8 million to buy out Eto'o's registration from Mallorca and immediately offer him to Liverpool in a swap for Owen.

"I cannot talk about the future," said Reds boss Rafa Benitez. "I have 19 players in Austria and Michael is on the list. If he plays, it is because he is the right player for the game. If he does not, it is because another player is considered better, nothing more than that."