Rafa's transfer turmoil

Rafa said that whilst Owen was an undoubted talent who would score goals, the price was simply too high.

Benitez said, "In my opinion Michael is a good player and he will score goals wherever he is."

But he added, "We tried, we talked with Michael, but at the end, money was more important to the clubs as Real Madrid can buy another player. You cannot control the market, you cannot control the players, you cannot control the clubs. You can try, but we have done our best."