Post by Helen on Jul 4, 2004 13:27:11 GMT
;D ;D ;D
Owen will stay - Parry
Liverpool, Sunday July 04 2004
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is confident Michael Owen will followin Steven Gerrard's footsteps and sign a new contract at Anfield.
Speculation has been rife that the England international, who has 12 months remaining on his current deal, would leave the Reds next summer in search ofgreener pastures.
But Parry, who played a key role in persuading Gerrard to stay on and helpthe Reds back to the glory days of old, believes Owen will follow in his close friend's footsteps.
"I am hopeful Michael will stay," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
"That's our next challenge. Dialogue has been going on over a number of weeks and has been positive. Talks will continue.
"I think Michael wants to stay. He is very excited by the choice of new manager. We all think we are going to improve this season. There is tremendous ability at the club.
"Just the fact that Steven is still here and we are retaining our top players, is a signal Michael would want to hear."
Liverpool have signaled their intentions by appointing Rafael Benitez as new boss and signing Djibril Cisse in a £14million deal.
