Laurent Robert, the former France winger, has pleaded with Newcastle United for the opportunity to make a playing return to St James’ Park.
Robert, who was signed by Sir Bobby Robson for £9.5 million in 2001, has been training with Paris Saint- Germain, his former club, since being made a free agent by Larissa, the Greek side.
The 34-year-old’s hopes of winning a contract with PSG have been dashed, however, and he has made indirect contact with Chris Hughton through Fabrice Pancrate, Newcastle’s recent French signing.
“Laurent has been in talks with PSG, but he told me that he would like to come back here,” Pancrate said. “If it could happen, he would say yes. That’s what he said to me. He loves the club.
“I spoke to the manager to tell him Laurent would like to come back and is available. I gave him his number. I don’t know what has happened since then.”
Advertisement
Hughton is thought unlikely to take Robert up on his offer and is more concerned with adding a centre half to his squad in the coming weeks. Matthew Kilgallon, the Sheffield United player who is out of contract at the end of this season, is understood to be Newcastle’s first choice, while the possibility of signing Sol Campbell has receded.
Campbell is available after having his registration released by Notts County and the former England defender has business and personal interests in the North East, but no contact has been made with Newcastle.
“I have a few clubs tabling offers at the moment, but one of them doesn’t seem to be Newcastle now,” Campbell said last night.
Hughton said: “He’s one of a number of players we’ll be assessing over the next month. He certainly isn’t someone we’ve ruled out, but it won’t only be us who are interested.
“Sol is a top, top defender. He’s someone I spent many years with at Tottenham Hotspur. The biggest stumbling block is options. I don’t know what Sol’s plans are. He might already have something lined up.”