"Michael Strahan was vacationing in Greece Sunday when the news broke that his old friend Osi Umenyiora was lost for the season. But he would consider ending his vacation and coming out of retirement if the Giants really want him back, the Daily News has learned.

According to a source close to the future Hall of Famer, all it would take to get the 37-year-old Strahan to end his 77-day retirement would be $8 million and a few kind words. If the Giants made a "sincere" effort to lure him back, the source said, it was "not out of the question" that Strahan could opt out of his contract with Fox and be wearing his old No. 92 jersey when Giants begin their Super Bowl title defense at Giants Stadium on Sept. 4.

"If the Giants make a sincere overture, it's a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back," the source said. "There are other things he has to take into consideration: the money and his contract with Fox. But if the Giants really want him, they have a shot. It's not out of the question."

Strahan, in an interview with the NFL Network, wouldn't rule it out either.

"I haven't heard from anybody else, so to say if I would or wouldn't is premature," Strahan said, "so I'm enjoying my retired life right now."

The question, though, is do the Giants really want Strahan to return for a 16th NFL season? They obviously need help at defensive end now that an MRI revealed torn cartilage in Umenyiora's left knee and he will undergo season-ending surgery tomorrow. And they were looking for help at that position even before Umenyiora's injury, which is why they discussed trading disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to Miami last month for Jason Taylor.

But as of last night, they had not reached out to Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone, and one source close to the defensive end said, "I don't think they will." They know Strahan's asking price â€" the same $8 million that they would've paid Taylor â€" but back in the spring they weren't willing to go any higher than $6.5 million, including incentives.

It remains to be seen if Umenyiora's injury has made them desperate enough to up their ante now.

"I'm sure Michael is happy with Fox, but he obviously loves the Giants, too," Agnone said. "If they're interested in talking to him, he'd discuss it with them. But right now, as I see it, you'll be watching him on Fox this year."

Several sources close to Strahan described the possibility of his return to the league as "doubtful," mostly because they believe the Giants are content to replace Umenyiora by moving linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. They also have been pleased with the play of backup defensive ends Renaldo Wynn and Dave Tollefson. But Wynn, a 12-year veteran, has just nine sacks in his last five seasons, and Tollefson, a second-year pro out of Northwest Missouri State, is still looking for the first of his NFL career."