How do we know big clubs wont be in for him your just persumeing. Equally not being privy to offers that were made to him in the past i cant say the likes of Utd, Arsenal etc were or werent in for him, maybe he plumbed for the big contract rather then prestige who kowns.
On his day hes as good if not better then Yak and Saha and his record is actually more prolific. Lets face it hes better then Vaughan or Vic currently and certianly will be better then Vic always so he would improve what we've we've got.
Equally he would offer us something different we all know his style of playing of the shoulder and while he doesnt have the pace he once had, he does still have the timing and ability to finish which is immense and he has added other elements to his game as well, what he hasnt got a lot of credit for during his career is the cleverness of his play, so would add depth and varience to what Moysie is able to call on.
The exposure in terms of branding and publicity we would recieve would also be a bonus and imagine what it would be like for the likes of Baxter, Rodwell et al to have Micheal Owen in the dressing room.
If i was Owen seeing Jags, Lescott and Baines in the England sqaud id be thinking if i could get to that club and do the buissness im back as a superstar! Win win!
Im on the same page when it comes to wages but you use his position and injury situation to our advantage, pay as you play etc if he is that deterirmined to acheive his ambitions.
Frankly i think we would be mad not to go for Own on a free given his record, quality, ability situation how often does the oppurtunity to sign a European footballer of the year on a free!