Man United Move in for Free Agent Owen

Latest reports in the English sporting press sugesst that Manchester United now look set to complete a surprise move for former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Michael Owen. The diminutive striker's contract with The Magpies expired this summer and with the club unable to support his huge wage demands following their relegation into the English Championship, Owen left the club at the end of last season.



Several Premier League clubs have been chasing the services of the talismanic forward but it seems that the champions are to complete a shock deal that would see the talismanic foward move to Old Trafford to bolster Alec Ferguson's forward line after the loss of Christiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the past few weeks. Owen's goal scoring record remains exemplary (including 40 goals in 89 games for England) but his ongoing injury problems have blighted his form and limited appearences in the last 2 years. However, it seems that United are ready to gamble on Owen who may see the move as a chance to get back into the plans of England coach Fabio Capello who has thus far overlooked owen during his reighn in charge of the Three Lions.

City Favourites in Race for Tevez Following United Announcement

It has emerged in the British sporting Press today that Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has become the second big name to leave the Premier League champions in recent weeks - following Christiano Ronaldo’s record move to Spanish giants Real Madrid recently.

Following Manchester United’s official statement today that Carlos Tevez is now certain to leave the club, there is now growing speculation as to which of the high profile Premier League clubs chasing the striker will eventually land the mercurial talents of the dogged South American star. Title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool have reportedly been in the frame as they look to strengthen their squads for next season. However, in a move that will surely infuriate Man United fans the world over, it seems that Manchester City are now emerging as favourites to sign the player. Indeed, it seems that Carlos Tevez may now be set for the blue half of Manchester as he seeks pastures new in his already controversial career in English Football. City certainly have the financial clout to meet the Argentines huge wage demands - and having already acquired the services of both high profile signings Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz in recent weeks, they may seem an attractive proposition for Tevez.

Birmingham Target Barry Ferguson Transfer for Premier League Boost

Newly promoted Birmingham City are apparently in the transfer market for experienced former Scotland midfielder Barry Ferguson. The 31 year old Rangers star has been the talk and indeed target of a large number of clubs south of the border including relegated West Bromwich Albion - especially following the controversial moments that occurred for the player earlier in the season. The incident in question - which occurred on international duty - saw Ferguson make a moderately (or possibly very badly) disguised indecent gesture - which has ultimately led to the Scot legend losing the captaincy of his Scottish Premier League club. These developments have since alerted the attention of a number of scouts of top level English football clubs, but (The Baggies in particulars) failure to secure a deal following their former manager Tony Mowbray's swift exit to Celtic, have now seemingly left the door wide open for West Midlands rivals Birmingham City to openly steal in to hijack the deal. Indeed, in spite of securing the Scottish League title and Scottish FA cup for The Gers this season, with knowledge that their former captain and talisman is now entering into the last year of his current contract (and arguably twilight of his excellent career) it seems that Ferguson is surely set to seek pastures new in England - whether in the top flight of English football or in the Championship.

Liverpool Legend Barnes set for Tranmere Managers Job

Former Liverpool and England midfield sensation John Barnes is set for a return to professional football in the capacity of manager at another North West based club in Tranmere Rovers. The football League One side have been seeking a replacement after sacking Ronnie Moore at the end of last season, and see former Liverpool wing superstar Barnes as the ideal candidate.

Barnes will now leave his previous post as manager of the Jamaican national team - which he has held for around 8 months - to take over at Prenton Park with immediate effect. He will hope for greater success than during his last disastrous efforts at club management when North of the border at Glaswegian giants Celtic, where he was unceremoniously sacked after a string of poor results. His task will be to assemble a squad capable of fighting for a play off position in League one next season - and he will be under immediate pressure following his predessor's sacking for failing to complete the same aim by such a narrow margin last season.

Fifa Confirms All English UK Football Team for 2012 Olympics

World football's governing body FIFA has now given the green light for Great Britain to put out an all English line up for their football team in the London 2012 Olympic games. The decision to allow the host nation for the games to include a British football team in world sport's centrepiece had previously courted a great deal of controversy amongst the home nations, as the governing bodies of Nothern Ireland, Scotland and Wales had all voiced understandable concerns that the move would compromise their independent status for other international football competitions - a sentiment seemingly put forward by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. However, a deal has now been brokered between the home nations and FIFA to allow the UK to put out an international Olympic team for the first time since 1972 - allbeit an all English one. The English players are now set to perform under the flag of Great Britain on a one off basis without compromise to any of the home nations international status, with the team expected to be compromised of home grown players all aged under 21.

Newcastle May Seek to Sell High Earners

The latest reports in the British tabloids suggest that Newcastle United are beginning to give serious thought to instigating the necessary preparatory measures to bring their expenditure in line with their impending Championship status following their devastating relegation from English Football's top flight on Sunday. The Toon slumped to a poor 1 - 0 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday which confirmed their relegation in spite of Hull's home defeat to English Champions Manchester United by the same scoreline. This has inevitably forced the powers that be at St James' Park to start giving sincere thought to their massive payroll of players salaries - rumoured to have accounted for around 70% of the North East clubs £100 million turnover during the 2008 - 2009 season. Clearly this is unsustainable at championship level, and in spite of stars such as Damien Duff pledging their future to the club, departures of high profile playing staff look inevitable.


One name that in particular will surely alert the attention of Premier League managers is (possibly) former England striker Michael Owen who is now out of contract, and at a reputed £100,000 pounds per week in wages looks almost certain to seek pastures new in order to reignite his international ambitions. The 29 year old has been shunned so far by England coach Fabio Capello and is desperate to get back into contention for international selection following a nightmare injury plagues spell in the North East.

Pressure Mounts on Championship Final Day

The final round of fixtures in the English Football Championship is set to commence this afternoon with a number of key issues yet to be finalised. Wolves have already taken the top spot in the league after a fantastic season which has seen them dominate almost throughout - playing some classy football in the process. However, there are 3 other clubs all vying for the second automatic promotion place this afternoon. The early kick off this afternoon sees 2 of these candidates face each other in a dramatic finally, with Reading set for a crucial clash with Birmingham at the Madejski Stadium. The visitors are currently in the driving seat in the race for second spot, and a win will ensure they bounce straight back into English football's top flight following the disappointment of relegation last year. Even a draw will be sufficient for the Blues, should Sheffield united fail to beat their old boss Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace side. The Blades themselves still have a shout for automatic promotion. The South Yorkshire outfit need a win, and also need Birmingham to avoid victory against third placed Reading.
At the bottom end of the Championship league table the equation is much more straightforward. Barnsley travel to Home Park knowing that a point against Plymouth will ensure their Championship status regardless of other results. Meanwhile Norwich - the only other possible candidate for the final relegation place - must beat already relegated Charlton at the Valley and hope The Tykes are beaten by Plymouth if they are to avoid joining their hosts and debt-laden Southampton in the depths of league 1 next season. It is sure to be a tense finish to what has been an excellent season - and with the play offs still to come their is bound to be further heartache for all fans of Englands second tier clubs.