TRANSFER TALK HERE

Last updated : 19 June 2005 By Ed

This is in the Indie about Figo:

Real Madrid's Luis Figo. The 32-year-old midfielder is available on a free transfer and United figure prominently on a list of clubs who have made initial inquiries.

However, it appears more likely that the Portuguese international, who has one year left at Real but has been told he can move, will join Internazionale. Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, has strongly indicated that he wants Figo and has made the early running.

Inquiries have also been made by Middlesbrough and the Qatari club Al-Rayyan, while Liverpool have rebuffed approaches from Figo's representatives. It is thought that Figo is asking for €5m a year (£3.5m) which equates to £67,000 a week. If he did move to Old Trafford it would come five years after Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him from Barcelona.

This is about Owen in the News of the Screws:

And a source close to the former Liverpool star, 25, said: "It looks like Real are ready to sell.

"If that is the case, he has a hankering to play for United. He does realises it wouldn't go down too well with the Anfield fans who used to idolise him but that is something he is prepared to live with.

"He enjoys partnering Rooney with England and would love to link up with him at club level."

A move to Old Trafford would enable Owen to live in his £5 million luxury mansion Lower Soughton Hall in Flintshire with his bride-to-be Louise Bonsall and their two year-old daughter Gemma.

United are thought to be closing in on Owen with a £15 million bid – though Real Madrid would like Ruud Van Nistelrooy to be part of an exchange package.

Other stuff:

The NOTW reckon that Saha could still go to Everton

Various papers claim/predict that United will bid for Jermaine Jenas who is apparently unhappy with his wages up at Barcode Central.