REAL MADRID never wanted to lose Michael Owen but his failure to become one of the Bernabeu's Galacticos paved the way for the England striker to make a sensational move to Newcastle United.

That's the verdict of Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who also believes Owen will be sorely missed in the Primera Liga this season.

Newcastle completed one of the biggest transfer coups in the history of English football yesterday when they paid £16m to Real for the former Liverpool forward.

Officials at the Spanish giants were forced into a corner by Owen, who is determined to play regular first team football ahead of next summer's World Cup.

The 25-year-old knew he was going to struggle for regular first team football in Madrid following the arrival of Brazil's outstanding young talent Robinho.

And Balague insists everyone at Real will be disappointed to lose a player whose record of 14 goals from just 22 starts last season was one of the best at the club.

"It's a shame people are saying things never worked out for Owen at Real because they did work out, that's the funny thing," said Balague, who admitted to being a Liverpool fan. "He has proven himself at a completely different level, in a completely different country. That has to be remembered.

"The problem with Michael was political rather than form. He was at a club where decisions are sometimes made for those reasons instead of abilities on the pitch.

"No matter what he did he was always viewed by the shareholders at the club as the fourth striker. It was not his fault that he was not picked.

"He was never treated as one of Real Madrid's Galacticos. That means he was never guaranteed his place and was always treated differently by the press. Real Madrid have made a big mistake with letting him go.

"Robinho may have been brought in but no-one knows how he will do. Beyond him Real only have Raul, Ronaldo and Javier Portillo left as available forwards."

Owen won over three different managers - Wanderley Luxembergo, Mariano Garcia Ramon and Jose Camacho - during his 12 months in Spain but still found himself on the bench more often that not.

There was a feeling that Raul - hailed as the Prince of Spain for his goalscoring record since bursting onto the scene as a teenager - and Owen did not see eye to eye.

But Balague claims that was never the case. "There was never any foundation to that," he said. "When they did play together they struck up an understanding and played very well together."

Real Madrid sporting director Arrigo Sacchi is ''upset'' by Owen's departure.

''We are upset because we've lost a great professional, a top-class player who was always very positive,'' he said. ''Real Madrid were happy with him and we would like to thank him for everything he has done here and wish him the very best in the future.

''He asked us if he could leave because it is a World Cup year and he wasn't going to play here regularly. We didn't want to loan him out and it was only when a big offer was made did that we accepted the idea of selling him.''

Balague understands Newcastle always looked the more likely to land Owen as Liverpool were keener on a one year loan deal rather than paying a huge transfer fee.

Liverpool's loss has been to Newcastle's gain and Owen will team up with Spanish winger Albert Luque at St James' Park.

Luque made his debut against Manchester United on Sunday and Balague is convinced the £10m buy from Deportivo La Coruna will hit it off with Owen.

"Luque will certainly enjoy playing Owen and I'm pretty certain the feeling will be mutual," he said. "Luque maybe employed as winger and that's where he is best, as he is not a great finisher.

"Newcastle will have to work hard on trying to make sure he keeps performing because consistency has not always been his biggest asset. When he is playing well though he is a great talent.