Jewell: We nearly pulled off shocker

Wigan boss Paul Jewell claims he was close to signing Michael Owen from Real Madrid in the summer.

He denies that their interest in the England hitman was a publicity stunt and remains convinced that Latics chairman Dave Whelan was close to pulling off a transfer shock, even though everyone knew the player wanted to play for Liverpool.

Jewell said: "It's the old thing, if you don't ask you don't get. It looked as if Michael wasn't going to get in at Real Madrid this season, and with it being a World Cup year, we were willing to give him football.

"Everything was done on the quiet, although it leaked out eventually, but it showed the ambition of the chairman and the club itself. I knew Michael wanted to go to Liverpool, everybody knew, even Newcastle fans, but the chairman put a deal to his agent, told him we were willing to pay £11m, and that was before Newcastle came in.

"The chairman was prepared to put an awful lot of money in, pay an awful lot in wages, and we also said if Michael wanted to go in January, or if a bigger club came in then, we were prepared to let him go for what we were willing to buy him for."It might have appeared pie in the sky, but I think it was closer than people think. If Newcastle hadn't have come in, then maybe he might have come here."

He added, "I'm not sure, you would have to ask Michael. I think he was surprised and shocked, but I think he admired us for it."