Graeme Souness has revealed he didn't want to sign Michael Owen while Newcastle United manager.

He told Sky Sports: "My first choice was Nicolas Anelka and Luis Boa Morte. I spoke to the people in Turkey (Anelka was at Fenerbahce) and was told he could be bought, but I was told (by Newcastle) that he couldn't be bought.

"Instead of buying Anelka for £12million, we signed Albert Luque for £10m. And Michael Owen for £16m."

Asked if they were his choices, Souness replied: "No. No. I was told Albert Luque would cost £2m."