All the latest transfer gossip doing the rounds …

By Majid Mohamed

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard wants Michael Owen back at Anfield and has urged manager Rafa Benitez to make sure they don’t miss out on the England striker.

Owen has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Newcastle recently, but Gerrard hopes Owen returns to Anfield.

“It goes without saying I would love Michael Owen back here and I think everyone at the club would welcome him back,” Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

“Whoever signs him guarantees themselves 20 goals and, in my opinion, the best striker in the league.”

Milan Baros has decided against moves to France to either Lyon or Monaco in fav our of a switch to Aston Villa instead. Liverpool are believed to be holding out for £7 million for the Euro 2004 top scorer.

Wigan Athletic are preparing to make a substantial bid for Norwich Striker Dean Ashton. Wigan are looking for a forward after the sale of Nathan Ellington to West Brom for £3 million.

Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd has been given a trial at Mainz. The 23-year-old who was on loan at Blackburn last season, failed a similar trial at Hertha Berlin after sustaining injury.

Galatasaray are mulling over a move for Inter winger Kily Gonzalez. The Turkish giants are looking for attacking midfielders after failing to sign Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires.

Stuttgart are interested in securing the services of Borussia Monchengladbach striker Vaclav Sverkos. New Stuttgart coach Giovanni Trappattoni is searching for a forward after the sale of Kevin Kuranyi to Schalke.

Birmingham are close to sealing the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Jiri Jarosik, as a replacement for the injured Mehdi Nafti. The deal will be confirmed once Lyon midfielder Michael Essien completes his move to Chelsea.

Spartak Moscow are in talks with Greek international Traianos Dellas according to reports in Italy. The former Roma defender is available on a free transfer and has seen a move to Rangers fall through.

Real Zaragoza will meet Genoa officials today to discuss a move for Argentine striker Diego Milito. Milito is thought to be keen to join his brother Gabriel at Zaragoza.

Top Italian clubs Juventus and Milan are reportedly tracking Lazio defender Massimo Oddo. The Italian international is highly rated by the Serie A giants.

Club America have denied reports that clubs have made a move to sign Claudio Lopez on loan. The Mexican side is keen to keep the Argentine striker for the Copa Sudamerica.