Owen not joining Al-Shabab, club confirm
The UAE team claimed the England international was close to signing for them on Tuesday afternoon, but they have now announced they could not reach an agreementAl-Shabab have confirmed Michael Owen will not be joining the United Arab Emirates club, despite announcing that a deal was close earlier on Tuesday.
Owen is available for free this summer after it was revealed he would not be offered the chance to stay at Manchester United for a fourth season, with his contract due to expire inside the next week.
After strong links with Stoke City, Al-Shabab claimed on their official Twitter account that they were close to coming to an agreement with the England international, but the club have since backtracked.
Saeed Al Marri, the club’s executive director, told UAE press: "The physical demands of Michael Owen does not correspond with the club."Owen joined United in 2009 following four good seasons at Newcastle, but in each of his three years he has appeared in progressively fewer matches, making 31 appearances in his first term, 17 in his second and just four in the past season.
Injuries have been a frequent problem for the former Liverpool man ever since his spell at Real Madrid, restricting his involvement considerably, particularly at Old Trafford.
The forward is still believed to be adamant that he is able to play at the top level for a few more years yet, and had been linked with a number of lower Premier League clubs since leaving Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/06/26/3202659/owen-not-joining-al-shabab-club-confirm?source=breakingnewsAl Shabab claim Michael Owen deal is close
The UAE club announced on Twitter that they have opened negotiations with the 32-year-old, who is available on a free transfer following his release by Manchester United
UAE-based side Al Shabab have claimed that a deal to bring Michael Owen to the Middle East is close to being completed.
Owen is available on a free transfer having been released by Manchester United this summer, and has previously hinted he would listen to offers from club sides around the world, having spent time abroad earlier in his career with current Spanish champions Real Madrid.
Al Shabab now claim that a meeting with the 32-year-old's representatives is due to take place, and that negotiations to bring the England international to the club could be concluded "soon".
They announced via Twitter: "Michael Owen has been identified as a candidate to play for Shabab next season and we are in negotiations with his management team.
"The player's agent is in Dubai to close the deal."
A spokesman for the club, who are set to compete in next season's AFC Champions League, added: "We are in talks with the player and his agent, but no agreement has yet been reached between the parties.
"Things should become clear soon."
Stoke City had previously been linked with the former Liverpool man, with boss Tony Pulis admitting he would be interested in signing the player having missed out on his signature three years ago.
Owen was signed by United in 2009 but struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford after fitness problems limited him to just 31 appearances in three years.
He was released at the end of the season having made just three appearances, but has since insisted he feels capable of playing at the highest level.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2012/06/26/3201970/al-shabab-claim-michael-owen-deal-is-close?source=breakingnews
[ 本文被阿清在2012-06-27 07:53重新編輯 ]
