BOBBY ROBSON'S patience is set to be rewarded tomorrow when Newcastle finally clinch the near-£10million signing of French international winger Laurent Robert.

Robson agreed personal terms with the Paris St Germain star Iright) at a secret meeting in Newcastle yesterday — while the French club have accepted a £9.5m fee.

The Toon boss has doggedly pursued the winger and, in an exclusive News of the World interview, he confirmed: "Robert is the sort of player who will not only give us the balance we have been looking for down the left but also added penetration.

"He is a superb, natural winger and a superb, natural goalscorer who is happy to cut in and let fly.

"The fans would find him very exciting because he loves to go one on one against defenders. He reminds me a lot of Ryan Giggs, while his crossing is similar to that of John Barnes when he played on the left for England. He would give added depth to the squad."

Robson sees this signing as crucial to satisfy those on the terraces and in the dressing room that the club have the ambition and ammunition to fire themselves into the top six.

Kieron Dyer will be especially delighted the club have improved their quality and that Nobby Solano, with whom he links so brilliantly, has also signed an extension to his Newcastle contract.

As revealed last week in the News of the World, Dyer is being pursued by Leeds, Real Madrid and Inter Milan — but Robson is adamant the England star is not for sale.

"I don't know what else needs to be said about Dyer," said an angry Robson, "except that he's not going anywhere."

Robert, 26, will be the third Newcastle signing this summer follwing the arrival of Robbie Elliott on a Bosman free transfer from Bolton and £6m Craig Bellamy from Coventry.

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2001

Answers

Feels like we're closing in on him. But until I see him on the pitch...

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2001