Arsenal are planning a shock bid for Manchester United’s forgotten striker Michael Owen, according to TuttomercatoWeb.
Owen, who has been at United for just over two years, signed a one year rolling contract in the summer at Old Trafford, after his initial two-year deal was up, but the striker has found first team opportunities hard to come by this season.
The 31 year-old played his first game of the season for United in their 3-1 Carling Cup win over Leeds United last week, scoring twice, which showed that he still possesses that great ability of finding the back of the net.
That performance must’ve impressed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is now contemplating making a move for Owen, to bolster his attacking options.
With Robin Van Persie the only striker at Arsenal in any kind of form at the moment, Wenger may look to sign Owen to add competition to his front line.
Marouane Chamakh has been unable to force his way into the starting line up for several months and has largely been on the periphery of the Arsenal first team after his form dropped dramatically midway through last season.
South Korean international Park Chu-Young was only signed on the final day on the transfer window and is still settling in to the club and Nicklas Bendtner was loaned out to Sunderland, so it looks like Arsenal can certainly do with another striker.
Owen himself, may see the move as a good way to revive his career and he could use it to somehow try and force his way back into the England squad once again.
He may be given the first team football at Arsenal that he craves at this late stage in his career, which isn’t being offered to him at Old Trafford at this present moment.
With Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov ahead of him in the pecking order, he will be restricted to the odd Carling Cup or FA Cup game.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer Manchester United £1 million for the striker, and they are prepared to offer Owen an 18-month contract. If it does come off, this could potentially be the move that revives Michael Owen’s career.
Twitter: @TariqSaleh21
