Owen says no to Everton move

LONDON – English Premiership side Everton has failed in a bid to lure Michael Owen from Real Madrid to Goodison Park.

The former Liverpool hero has had talks with several Premiership clubs in the wake of Real’s double swoop for strikers Robinho and Julio Baptista. But the 25-year-old has said he does not want to join Everton, whose Champions League fate will be finalised today when they take on Villarreal in their third qualifying round second-leg match in Spain.Everton trail 1-2 from the first leg.Everton boss David Moyes said: “We have been in contact with Michael and his advisors – and unfortunately he doesn’t see Everton as a team he would choose at this present time.”It is another snub for the highly rated Moyes, who has also been turned down by Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt earlier this month.”We offered 10 million pounds for Dirk Kuyt and that was rejected on August 1 by Feyenoord,” said the Scot.However, Moyes confirmed he is not giving up in his pursuit of players in a bid to at least match last season’s fourth-place finish in the Premiership.”I am trying to reassure fans I am in for most of the big names.We do have money to spend if the right players are available – but getting them in is the problem.”- Nampa-AFPBut the 25-year-old has said he does not want to join Everton, whose Champions League fate will be finalised today when they take on Villarreal in their third qualifying round second-leg match in Spain.Everton trail 1-2 from the first leg.Everton boss David Moyes said: “We have been in contact with Michael and his advisors – and unfortunately he doesn’t see Everton as a team he would choose at this present time.”It is another snub for the highly rated Moyes, who has also been turned down by Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt earlier this month.”We offered 10 million pounds for Dirk Kuyt and that was rejected on August 1 by Feyenoord,” said the Scot.However, Moyes confirmed he is not giving up in his pursuit of players in a bid to at least match last season’s fourth-place finish in the Premiership.”I am trying to reassure fans I am in for most of the big names.We do have money to spend if the right players are available – but getting them in is the problem.”- Nampa-AFP