Real Madrid to swap Owen for Ferdinand?

Spanish football giants Real Madrid are reportedly willing to swap England international Michael Owen for the services of English central defender Rio Ferdinand.

The swap deal could see England's leading striker return to the English Premiership to don the colours for Manchester United, for whom Ferdinand is currently playing, while the defender could be an answer to Madrid's defence worries, The People newspaper reported Sunday.

The daily said: "The Spanish giants want to swoop for the United defender to solve a crisis of fit centre-halves and they believe his England teammate Owen is the perfect bait."

"United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on pairing Owen with Wayne Rooney next season and he knows Ferdinand's future at Old Trafford (Manchester United's base) is in real doubt."

With Brazilian football's hottest property Robinho speculated to be heading to Madrid, Owen - who last season struggled to make a place in the XI with Real last season - is considered dispensable.

Ferdinand, on the other hand, has refused to sign a 100,000 pounds a week deal with current employers Manchester United and is holding out for 40,000 pounds more, which is the opening that Madrid have been looking for.

Ferdinand's agent admitted this week that he would not be signing a new contract and the player made no secret about his desire to play abroad in the past.

The Spanish club are about to sell Argentinean international defender Walter Samuel to Inter Milan after just one season, while English defender Jonathan Woodgate still hasn't had a single game with the club after being sidelined by injury.

That leaves them with just Ivan Helguera, whose contract is under renegotiation, and homeboy Paco Pavon - a perfect setting for Ferdinand to fit in.