The Prodigal Son Returns...Maybe - Michael Owen Tipped To Return To Liverpool

Like sands through an hourglass, these are the days of...Michael Owen. With many big name transfers already completed, including Luis Figo to Inter, Robinho and Baptista to Real Madrid (see where I'm going with this?) Bolo and Momo to Liverpool and Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelski, the biggest move still on the fire is, of course, Wonder Boy's possible return to the place of his birth as a footballer, Anfield. Will it happen? We'll see...

In English football, the rule used to be, "where there's smoke, there's fire." These days, it's more like, "where there's smoke there's a fuckload of other stories, misdirection, leads, 'inside' sources, denials, signed contracts and about faces."

That said, ~~the fucking Mancs~~ ManUre have seemingly bowed out (I have to think Owen would rather stay in spain than pull on a shirt of that other NW club, but that may be the romantic in me), as have Chelsea and Arsenal, according to many reports and statements. Newcastle apparently wants him, but for fuck's sake, they finished 14th in the Prem last year! Sorry, I don't see Mikey joining that prat Souness and the Toon Army.

So, to my Stateside eyes, it looks like it's down to a choice between Owen to Liverpool and Owen stays in Spain. The buzz on the various Liverpool fan sites, including Koptalk, is furious, all pointing to the former (and future) Anfield legend returning to Merseyside.

Those of us who count ourselves amoung the faithful can only cross our fingers and hope the rumors are true. Bringing Owen home would add pace, scoring (131 goals, 213 games) and some fantastic press...not to mention a HUGE lift for the squad and the ability to get rid of all the #10 shirts laying around in the club store.

Like I said, cross your fingers....