THERE WAS a time Everton supporters would relish the prospect of seeing their club linked with a move for Michael Owen.

But there was also a time they’d rub their hands with glee at a bid for Stan Collymore or Tony Yeboah.

The thing is, all three - with the greatest respect to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker who was blessed with a rare gift - are Premier League history.

The news this week that Owen will not be offered a new contract at Manchester United was greeted with a flurry of internet speculation, that Everton would finally bring the striker to Goodison after several failed attempts.

It’s no secret that David Moyes has previously tried to persuade Owen to take a pay cut and come and play for the team he supported as a boy.

The Toffees were interested when he left Real Madrid for Newcastle, and when he swopped St James’ Park for Old Trafford.

But each time Owen’s huge wage demands have made any talks almost academic, despite lingering suggestions that the North Wales-born forward would quite fancy pulling on the royal blue shirt.

But however true that might remain this summer, Everton would be unwise to move for the 32-year-old.

It’s not his age. Owen’s rocket-fuelled pace is certainly a thing of the past, but he has matured and developed other sides to his forward play.

It’s certainly not his ability. When he has featured for the Red Devils, he has invariably scored, as he has at most of his clubs.

No, it’s the perpetual struggle with injury that has haunted Owen since he tore his knee ligaments in the 2006 World Cup.

He managed just one league appearance for United last season, and 11 in the previous campaign. Sure, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck have been favoured, but 12 appearances in two seasons is a poor return. Everton appear to have finally solved their goal scoring dilemma, with Nikica Jelavic, and released one ageing if formerly potent forward, Louis Saha, in January.

They do not need another.