Owen linked with Man U

Transfer Speculation
Manchester United are reportedly in talks with former Liverpool player Michael Owen. The club have recently sold Ronaldo, where unable to secure Tevez and were beaten to the punch for primary target Karim Benzema who struck a deal with Real Madrid today. Owen is looking for a new club after allowing his Newcastle contract to expire and a number of Premier League clubs are considering a move. Hull and Stoke have reported an interest in the player, but now one bookmaker has "slashed their odds on the 29-year-old moving to Old Trafford amid claims that tentative talks have taken place between Owen's representatives and United officials,” says Sky Sports.

UPDATE:
A number of newspapers are running this story this morning.
The Times claims: “Michael Owen will sign for Manchester United on a free transfer today provided that he passes a stringent medical at Old Trafford.”

“The deal will require Owen to accept a huge drop in salary from the £120,000 a week he was earning on Tyneside. Everton, who made an offer this week, had been willing to pay a basic salary of about £50,000 a week” says the story But.”Owen will have to convince the doctors that he is fully fit,” reports the article.

Today's Star says: “United refused to confirm the shock move last night but a source close to Owen said: ‘It looks like Michael will sign for United in the next couple of days,’ and “United players have even been texting each other believing Owen had signed.”

“The first hint that Owen may be on his way came when punters started betting heavily yesterday on the England striker moving to Old Trafford,” says the story.

Today's Post says: "Owen suffered from a series of injury problems during his stint at St James’ Park and Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to be lining up a pay-as-you-play deal for the forward.