Barmby tells ex-Reds pal Owen: Join me at Hull
Nick Barmby has urged his former Liverpool and England team-mate Michael Owen to join him at Hull.
Owen, the country's fourth-highest goalscorer, becomes a high-profile free agent today following the expiration of his Newcastle contract.
The 29-year-old ex-Real Madrid striker is likely to attract offers from across Europe but Hull are one of the few English clubs to have publicly declared their interest so far.
Barmby and Owen played in the same Liverpool side that won a cup treble in 2001 and were also together in the England team that memorably thrashed Germany 5-1 later that year.
Veteran midfielder Barmby, 35, is now preparing for Hull's second season of Barclays Premier League football and would love Owen to join him at the KC Stadium.
Barmby said: "He is a wonderful footballer and it is fantastic for the club to be linked with these players.
"I'm not sure whether we are close to a deal or close to talking - but that would be fantastic.
"He is 29, still has a burning desire to be in a World Cup squad and whoever gets him - and hopefully it will be us - will have a great asset.
"It's Michael's decision but it would be fantastic for us and our fans to have someone like him playing for this club."
Owen's stock has fallen since he joined Newcastle for 17million four years ago because of a series of injuries.
He also struggled for form as the Magpies unsuccessfully battled relegation in the latter half of last season but Barmby has no doubts about his quality.
"If you give him chances he will get you goals," said Barmby, who was rewarded with a new one-year contract at the end of last season.
"He's had a few bad injuries and the form at Newcastle with the relegation dogfight made it difficult, but if he is in a team that is creating chances he will definitely score goals.
"That is one thing you don't lose."
The prospect of Hull, who only narrowly escaped relegation themselves last term, pulling off a deal to sign a player of Owen's standing still seems unlikely but they insist their interest is not misguided.
Chairman Paul Duffen is keen to speak to him and believes he can make an attractive offer.
He said: "It is a very competitive environment, a lot of people want to sign Michael Owen.
"But I believe we could structure a deal with Michael that would make it very interesting for him to come and play football at club where he has the chance of starting every week and of scoring goals to get his career back on track."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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