Premier League - Rovers snub Owen; chase Ruud

Eurosport - Sat, 27 Jun 15:45:00 2009

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce would love to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy to Ewood Park - but has ruled out a move for 'injury-prone' Michael Owen.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 La Liga Real Madrid Ruud Van Nistelrooy - 0

The Rovers boss is in desperate need of striking reinforcements after Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire both left this month.

He has immediately set his sights on an ambitious move for Van Nistelrooy, who is set to be one of several victims of Real Madrid's unprecedented spending spree.

Allardyce said: "The sort of salary he would be on at Real Madrid may be beyond us. But maybe he wants to come and play in England again and take less of a salary - then we'd be interested."

And, just as when he persuaded Nicolas Anelka to join former club Bolton, Allardyce sees no reason why a deal could not be done - assuming the ex-Manchester United frontman is willing to take a pay cut in exchange for regular football.

"Who'd have thought Bolton would get Nicolas Anelka? Nobody did. But I went out and did it," Allardyce said.

"It would be nice to do it with a Van Nistelrooy. It would be a major coup if I could pull it off."

Owen is another faded star available this summer, and will not command a transfer fee when he lapses out of contract with Newcastle. However, Allardyce is apparently not tempted to take a chance on a player he worked with previously at St James' Park.

"I just question the injury scenario," Allardyce said.

"I need a striker that's going to be available for 30 games next season. That's not happened for Michael over the last four years."

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 33

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  1. Re the message about Freddie Shepherd's syndicate­ buying Owen. Perhaps Michael the Malingerer will end­ up the old Shepherd's scrap yard in Byker.

    From Brian, on Sat 27 Jun 5:21PM

  2. Comment 11, anyone remember Viduka, Enrique, Faye,­ Barton, Smith, Cacapa, Geremi and Rozenhal, Ive seen­ more power in a snails foot.

    From john.connolly01, on Sat 27 Jun 4:09PM

  3. would be a great signing

    glad to see some legends­ returning to the league

    From die ronaldo die, on Sat 27 Jun 4:04PM

  4. No one should doubt Sam's transfer power, hes­ proved in the past he can sign the best. Anyone­ remember Jay Jay Okocha? He also signed Hierro, and­ Campo b4.

    From zehst, on Sat 27 Jun 2:58PM

  5. #8, you mean his dive vs Argentina?

    From SIMON, on Sat 27 Jun 2:42PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    As much as Owen doesn't pull his weight now-days.­ You all seem to forget he was a hero against Argentina­ in teh W.C. Okay it was ages ago but you lot sure have­ short memories or you lead a sad existance that you­ call life.

    From lee, on Sat 27 Jun 2:25PM

  7. No-one wants Owen. His best bet is that Freddie­ Shepherd's syndicate will buy the Doon and Freddie­ will re-sign him. Other than that, he'd better­ retrain as a jockey!!

    From safcalsftm, on Sat 27 Jun 1:19PM

  8. Have you got the message yet Owen? Nobody wants you, go­ back to playing with your horses.

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Sat 27 Jun 12:57PM

  9. i hope nobody in thier right mind buys owen.huge­ wage.no return. bog off owen.stick to your effing gee­ gees.

    From cannybiz123, on Sat 27 Jun 12:00PM

  10. with real madrids money, they will buy young and fresh­ strikers so van nistelrooy will not get in the squad,­ so being linked with a premier league team who will­ play him week in, week out would be a bonus for­ him.
    However, he will have to have a wage cut and or no­ more europe

    From sambellamy1995, on Sat 27 Jun 11:50AM

  11. Whoever gets owen is getting a massive wage bill for NO­ FOOTBALL,oWEN IS FINISHED,Sunday football for owen if­ anyone will have him

    From james m, on Sat 27 Jun 11:37AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    looooooooooool - best story i've read all week. Get­ back to the real world Sam...

    From Ashley B, on Sat 27 Jun 11:20AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ruud wants to play in chmpions league....and he could­ not leave real madrid

    From ashralf_redha, on Sat 27 Jun 11:12AM
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