Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has ruled out a summer swoop for Michael Owen and questioned his commitment to football.
The Latics chief revealed he tried to sign Owen in 2005 for £15 million when the striker left Real Madrid for Newcastle.
But Whelan insists he will not be returning to the negotiating table this summer as Owen’s representatives try to secure him a swift return to The Premier League.
The Wigan chairman believes the 29-year-old is now injury-prone and hinted his interest in horse racing could be a distraction.
"His wages are too expensive, for one thing, and, for another, you have to ask whether he still has the urge, the bottle and the drive,” Whelan told the Daily Mail.
"I hope he has, because he has been a great player. But that's a big question.
"I tried to sign him when he came back from Real Madrid. I told his agent I'd pay the £15million asking price and allow him to move on whenever he pleased because I wanted him to be playing over here in readiness for the World Cup the following year.
"He's looking a bit injury-prone these days, and he does love his horses.
"His wages will come down, but it would still be a hell of a lot for us to pay someone more than £25,000 a week."