Owen reveals big interest

Owen: Interest mounts

It remains to be seen where I am going to go, there are plenty of clubs that would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether it is at home or abroad.

Michael Owen has confirmed to Sky Sports News there is plenty of interest in his signature from both home and abroad.

The Newcastle striker has confirmed that he will not be remaining at St James' Park following their relegation to The Championship.

Owen admits that his preference would be to remain in England this summer when his contract at Newcastle expires, but he refused to rule out a fresh move to the continent.

The England international has already experienced life playing in Europe after spending a season with Real Madrid in 2004.

"It remains to be seen where I am going to go, there are plenty of clubs that would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether it is at home or abroad," he told Sky Sports News.

"There has been a lot of interest from abroad and quite a bit from home as well, but obviously the Premier League is where I feel I belong.

"I played a year out in Spain and enjoyed it at Real Madrid but that confirmed to me that I definitely prefer the Premier League, so if it was to be a good English club, that would be my preference, but I have had a lot of interest from abroad so I wouldn't rule that out.

"I am still contracted to Newcastle for a few weeks, so that is where I am at the minute. I don't think I am going to be re-signing at Newcastle, as one I don't think I am going to be offered a new contract and I want to play in the Premier League or a top division somewhere else."

Hull City are the latest side said to be ready to offer him a contract, but Owen admits he is not aware of the interest from The Tigers at this stage.

"I haven't been made aware of that, it is a new one - but I have been linked with virtually every team in last few weeks," he continued.

"I will sit down but I don't think it is fair to Newcastle at the moment. I had four enjoyable years there, and I am very sorry to leave them when they are going to be in the Championship so I wouldn't like to talk about specific clubs who I am going to join."

Owen admits it has been hard reading a lot of negative press about him over the past 12 months.

"There is a lot said and written about me in last few weeks and not many nice things, but that is life!" he said.

"I have got skin thicker than 99.9 per cent of the population. I get used to it - people write you off but when I scored a goal in the World Cup at 18, people were writing me off six months later. Then I was scoring a hat-trick in Germany and winning trophies with Liverpool and then they write you off again.

"Somebody will always criticise you no matter what, so if you let that affect you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"Yes I prefer people to say nice things about me as it is not as if I have murdered someone, but you get more criticism as a footballer and you have to be thick skinned."

source:skysports.co.uk

•