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| Chelsea say Terry is not for sale [GALLO/GETTY] |
England's traditional summer transfer madness may have been put in the shade by Real Madrid's shopping spree, but the red and blue halves of Manchester also have their wallets out with two big names in the frame.
Former European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen may be on the verge of joining Manchester United from relegated Newcastle United, according to several British media reports on Friday – while Chelsea have gone public in rejecting a huge bid from Manchester City for England captain John Terry.
Owen, who has been a minor figure for Fabio Capello's England after rising to be one of the world's top strikers after the 1998 World Cup, could move to the Premier League champions if he passes a stringent medical examination, said the reports.
A Manchester United spokesman told the BBC the club would not comment on the speculation as it was reported that Owen had arrived at the club's training ground.
Owen shot to fame with Liverpool and England before joining Real Madrid in 2004 and the Newcastle a year later.
Target man missed
Owen's surprise link with the European Champions League finalists comes after United target Karim Benzema's moved to Madrid.
City, meanwhile, have had their eye on Terry for a while.
"Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has completely rejected an offer from Manchester City for John Terry," read a statement on Chelsea's website.
"We would like to make clear, and will not do so again, that John is not for sale."
City, owned by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayad al Nahyan, also had an approach for Terry, who has 53 England caps, rejected last season.
Blues manager Mark Hughes has already added England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz to his squad to push for Champions League qualification next season.
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