Michael Owen set to join Real Madrid

Liverpool:

A week back, Michael Owen was believed to be 'closer than ever' to signing a new deal with Liverpool. But now the 24-year old is set to leave the club he joined as a schoolboy and team up with the 'galaticos' of Real Madrid. On the eve of the new English Premiership season, Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez confirmed the switch on Friday - the club apparently unable to tie him up to a new contract with just one year left on his existing deal: "The only thing I can say is that I wish the best for Michael, the best for Real Madrid and the best for Liverpool," said Rafael Benitez, Liverpool Manager. After scoring on his debut as a 17-year old, Owen followed in the long line of prolific Anfield strikers - his Liverpool legacy is 158 goals in 297 appearances. The terms of the transfer deal were not disclosed, but is reported to be worth around US$18 million with Liverpool also receiving Madrid midfielder Antonio Nunez. Benitez admitted that he will have to rethink his strategy to cope with the loss of such a key player: "I think that this is bad news for the players because he is a good professional, a good player. But, always in the history the players change and the only think you have to do as a manager is to find good players because I want to improve the team's level. And we are working on these things," said Rafael Benitez, Liverpool Manager. Owen is poised to undergo a medical in the Spanish capital on Friday evening before being formally presented as a Real Madrid player next week. (AP)