Laurent Robert still a possibility.

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Despite reports suggesting this deal is dead and buried, NUFC.com are reporting the following extract from Laurent Robert's own web-site:
"The meeting on Friday in Paris with Mr Shepherd went very well. Now we're waiting to see what Newcastle actually propose. My Agent, Pape Diouf, has given them the conditions for my transfer and now he can only wait for their reply."

Doesn't sound dead to me. Shepherd is also saying that despite BR indicating he has lost patience with Zenden, he still hopes to sign him - in addition to Laurent Robert - at a total spend of £16.5mm!

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

Answers

Robert is the biggest possible signing this summer it seems. So far he hasnt said anything bad about the club hasnt he? Maybe he thinks Newcastle is in London somewhere.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

Maybe he thinks Newcastle is in London somewhere.

That'll be what's holding him back. We should set his mind at rest on that score.



-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

sssssshhhhhhhhhh, he may be listening!!!!! Besides everyone knows Newcastle is a SUBURB of London (wink wink nudge nudge).....

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

Is he any good? Does anyone really know much about him. Alot of money for someone who is a France B international.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

He's french and therefore a proven waste of money.....

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001


Well I am really full of optimism now.

Anyway until he signs, I'll believe nowt! i remember when we were signing Ferdinand he was linked with Everton and another couple of clubs, to put the media off the scent. read an article about the games played with the press regarding football transfers. Very interesting. So until he's in a black and white shirt we might as well forget him.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001


It is being reported that despite FS's continued belief that Zenden may sign for us, BR has lost patience and turned his attention to Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Savio, saying "If Zenden had wanted to join Newcastle, he would have been here by now."

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

Quite an interesting web site he's got, where he's very open about a number of issues. In addition to the quote mentioned above (dated today), he was asked on the 6th whether the meeting with Newcastle by his agent was a serious avenue. He replied:

I don't know. I haven't been in contact with Pape for a few days so to tell the truth I don't know if it's serious or just 'pipo' (interesting french phrase that should come in useful fopr decsribing most of our french players). There are so many things written in the papers… Afterall, if there really is an approach from Newcastle, we'd have to wait and see what the directors are proposing. It's obvious I'm not going to leave for the sake of leaving. I'm not going to just go anywhere.
He's then told that there are 3 big clubs in England at the moment. With the world Cup aproaching, is it wise to go to a club that isn't at the forefront? Reply: It wouldn't bother me going to a club like Newcastle. As long as I'm playing and performing, I don't give a Peter Reid about the rest (liberal translation). And besides, Newcastle isn't a small club, let's be clear.

Overall very positive. Generally he seems to want to play football so he has a chance of getting into the French squad (just been brought into the squad in May). Although he's playing in the Intertoto (and scoring) he's struggled to command a regular place and there have been new signings also (Aloisio?). Also at 26 I expect he wants to make the most of his recent success and cash in whilst the going's good.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001


I reckon the two loose ends transfer wise will neatly resolve themselves. Barca and PSG will do a swap - Zenden for Robert. :-(

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001

That is assuming Robert will be happy playing for Barca Reserves! It is just possible he may not wish to take that chance, but as you suggest Peter it looks like a neat solution.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2001


I saw Robert live in Pori Jazz - PSG game last Sunday. Robert scored one (an easy change though) and fell once succesfully in penalty area. Okocha and Hiroux really stole the show, but Robert looked solid, at least worked enough. The guy has done some serious sun-bathing in his holiday and it took me 15 mins to recognize that he really was on the opening eleven. I did saw him playing at Parc de Prince few months ago. The guy gives all of PSG's corners and free-kicks. He did 14 goals last season, and ten of those where from free-kicks. He also got send of at Lyon few years ago after practising the art of karate during the game. That's bit more than moody I guess. And given the recent (un-)performances by frogs for the Toon I'm not too sure about this transfer... Still for what I have seen Robert just might be worth of trying.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

I did read on some web site that Zenden and Robert had been linked with a swap deal............................

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

07/02/2001. Barcelona have offered their Dutch international winger Boudewijn Zenden and Portuguese international attacker Simao Sabrosa to Paris Saint-Germain in exchange for the Parisian clubÃÔ French striker Laurent Robert, according to reports in the French press.

Another permutation would reportedly see Barca offer youngster Mikel Arteta ¡¦who currently plays on loan to PSG ¡¦in direct exchange for Robert.

But itÃÔ possible that the Catalans¡¦advances have arrived too late, as Robert has seemingly patched up his differences with PSG coach Luis Fernandez, who now considers the player an integral piece of his starting 11.

Player and coach were at loggerheads some months ago due to RobertÃÔ dislike at being substituted during matches, and Fernandez had declared him for sale at $13 million.

Glasgow Rangers were poised to buy Robert, but the Frenchman had no desire to play in Scotland and instead chose to wait for another offer, which has finally come¡¦lbeit at the wrong time.

The arrival of Brazilian center-forward Jose Aloisio ¡¦who is an expert header of the ball ¡¦at PSG has made RobertÃÔ left flank crossing even more valuable to the club, and Fernandez now seems totally unwilling to let Robert go.

"IÃÍl say it as clearly as possible: LaurentÃÔ place is at PSG,¡¦said Fernandez days ago while the team trained for the upcoming French league season.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


psg have accpeted our offer, now its solely up to the player...

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Kegsy , have you got an Anglo/Japanese keyboard or something?

As for Robert, You would have thought after speaking to his team mate Didier Domi, he wouldn't consider a move to Newcastle. I wouldn't have thought that his ex PSG eam mate Alain Goma would have a good word to say about us either.Like I say ,I'm puzled that he's interested in us. I hear that he's more of a left winger and set piece taker than a striker, I think he would be another Ginola and hope that we get him.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001



To be fair, everybody is different. But i think the chances of him being a Toon stalwart for 10 years are very very slim.

Though i hope we get him.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


Rik, I don't ¤¹¤Ù¤Æ¤Î¥Ó¥¸¥Í¥¹¤Î´ðÈפˤʤ륹¥È¥ì¡¼¥¸¡¦¥Í¥Ã¥È¥ï¡¼¥¯¤ÎÀì Ì祤¥Ù¥ó¥Èwhat you are talking about

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Rik, Robert is indeed more of a left winger but not exactly AML. More like FL. And excellent set pieces. Set Pieces 18, Long shots 19, Passing 15, Crossing 17 and Creativity 16. ;)

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

juss, do you reckon he's hard enough?

is he a big lad?

has he close control or just fast...

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


Swift, not too big. Only about 1,75 m. (sorry bout the metric ;) But what I have seen he is hard enough. Good control and fast. Is not afraid of challenging the defenders. In Pori the defender who finally got Robert down at the penalty area really had to do a very nasty tackle. Excellent with the ball and when running forward. I'm not quite as sure can/will he do any of the defensive work.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

did he wear silver boots?

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Silver boots, silver shorts, silver shirt and a silver halo above his head.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

sounds like Min on cabaret night...

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

I was frankly concerned about us offering 10mil for someone I'd never heard of - I don't live under a stone, appearances can be deceptive - and my first thought was that we are signing this season's Angel.

However, a bit of digging reveals that he often comes on as a sub for France - usually for Wiltord, although I would rather he could displace that donkey - and has even scored against Turkey. Sub for the World Champs is a lot better than first choice at Kingston Park, so it couldn't be a bad thing really. Noticed that Laslandes starts a lot more games for France and scores more goals, and I don't remember the mackems paying 10mil for him.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


Laslandes is 30 isn't he?

Robert seems like the player we've been begging for. Fast, skillful, left footed with an eye for the goal.

What makes him debateable is the fact he is French plays for PSG and appears to run a heavy industry company (since 74)

sod it, if he has the nerve to wear silver boots he must have something

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


A £3 million Frenchman, dosen't put as many bums on seats as a £9.5 million one Softie.

They are even giving them away on Metro Fm as well as the advertising campaign offering reduced priced tickets from a fiver for kids.

If Sunderland were signing £9.5 million players they would be selling more season tickets, even if that player was no better than the £3 million one.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


And Zidane is? And Batistuta is? And Salas is? The going rate for quality 30+ year olds is astronomical. Everyone younger is being tied into contract extensions. Even bloody Southgate is worth a packet in this madhouse. I wonder what we'll get... Got to say that I'd prefer a feeding frenzy for his signature. He hasn't been picked out by Mesiuer Michel Uadsurt'h has he?

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Not working for M & S any more rik, though I take your point.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

sell shearer and lee and make fortunes? oh yes and stick Speed in there

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Robert also placed himself to the transfer-listy last season after being subbed in one game after the first-half. However PSG's board or manager wes able to convince him again that he should stay.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

I used the word "quality" advisedly; folk whose legs have gone, don't fit the description "quality" or who are chronically injury-prone are a different story. 50p and a bottle of coke.

I certainly hope Rob Lee goes elsewhere after his testimonial. We could really do with the wages being freed up for someone who still justifies them.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001


by Softie yer a hard man!! Reckon all trhe hard choices should sit with you this season, sacred cows? mooooooooooo

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

He's not that hard with Barton though is he....favouritism...PAH!

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

Softie gets hard with Barton, sounds like one of screachers videos

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

I take offence tothat. Mine are all stills - whem at least when my hands stop shaking ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

It's not favouritism Gav. My criteria for picking players would be to pick out anyone not giving it 100% work rate and shoot them. Having got their attention I would then be in a position to start hiring and firing based on ability. Barton's crapness isn't as much of a problem as the lazy bastards not pulling their weight in the match. I don't think we can even judge who is and isn't crap until they are all firing on all cylinders. I really believe that 11 Barton's would stuff 11 Collymore's 9 times out of 10. We shouldn't base our selection policy on players' good days but on their average days. Only when they all give you everything they have in the tank can you afford to lay people off for not being skillfull enough.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2001

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