LONDON, August 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Real Madrid striker Michael Owen has declined to join English Premiership side Everton.

    The former Liverpool striker has mulled a move back to England following Real's double swoop for strikers Robinho and Julio Baptista.

    The 25-year-old has held talks with several English Premiershipclubs but Everton seemed not to be Owen's apparent choice.

    "We have been in contact with Michael and his advisors. Unfortunately he doesn't see Everton as a team he would choose at this present time,"said Everton manager David Moyes.

    It is doubtful whether Everton could reach the group stage of the Champions League after they trailed Villarreal 1-2 from the first leg of the third qualifying round. The second leg will be contested on Wednesday in Spain.

    Everton are pursuing quality players in a bid to at least matchlast season's fourth-place finish in the Premiership.

    But prior to the snub by Owen, Everton had also been turned down by Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt earlier this month.

    "We offered 10 million pounds for Dirk Kuyt and that was rejected on August 1 by Feyenoord," said Moyes. Enditem ¡¡