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Brown in Owen talks admission
Hull City, 13:58, June 26, 2009 ,
Phil Brown maintains his interest in Michael Owen is genuine and is optimistic he can persuade the Newcastle striker to join Hull.
The Tigers avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season by one point and manager Brown is determined to beef up his squad to avoid a repeat battle in the lower regions of the top tier of English football.
Brown wants to strengthen his strike force by signing Owen and in-demand Marc-Antoine Fortune of Nancy but accepts Hull have a fight on their hands.
The Tigers boss was derided in certain quarters when he made public his interest in Owen but is convinced he can get the Newcastle and England striker around the negotiating table when he becomes a free agent on July 1.
He said: "It is obviously a very attractive proposition for Hull City. To bring an England international here would be a great achievement for the club.
"It was not a throwaway comment, it is a genuine interest, and as a free transfer that would be an interesting prospect for a number of clubs.
"Who knows? It could be a good start for the transfer window for us."
Brown revealed Hull had not yet been given permission by Premier League hopefuls Newcastle to speak to Owen but that he was optimistic the former Liverpool and Real Madrid goal-getter would grant him the courtesy of a chat.
He added: "He is still connected to a football club, we haven't been given permission by that football club to talk to him, so we will honour that.
"But he will be available from 1st July and hopefully Michael will give us the time of day and we can get around a table, then who knows?"
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