Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed striker Michael Owen will move to Real Madrid.
The deal is believed to involve Liverpool getting £8m for 24-year-old England international Owen plus midfielder Antonio Nunez from Real.
"Michael will have a medical with Madrid before the deal is completed," said Benitez.
"I was very happy with Michael and I wanted him to stay. The problem was he only had a year left on his contract."
He added: "Real Madrid started talking with his agent and in the end it was an impossible situation to control.
"The money from his sale will be used to balance the team.
"We still have good forwards here and a good team. We did our best to keep him but, as I say, in the end it was a difficult situation for us."
The deal is believed to involve Liverpool getting £8m for 24-year-old England international Owen plus midfielder Antonio Nunez from Real.
"Michael will have a medical with Madrid before the deal is completed," said Benitez.
"I was very happy with Michael and I wanted him to stay. The problem was he only had a year left on his contract."
He added: "Real Madrid started talking with his agent and in the end it was an impossible situation to control.
"The money from his sale will be used to balance the team.
"We still have good forwards here and a good team. We did our best to keep him but, as I say, in the end it was a difficult situation for us."
