ROBERT Insists He Is Going Nowhere

By Matthew Jones
June 29 2003

Robert is going to finish the 2 yrs on his contract at St James' Park, despite being offered to PSG in exchange for Brazilian Ronaldinho. Sir Bobby has also once again defended the signing of Lee Bowyer.

French winger Laurent Robert last night pledged his future to Newcastle United.

After being offered to Paris Saint-Germain by the club in order to try and bring Ronaldinho to Tyneside, Robert insists he will spend the remaining two years of his contract with United.

"The press speak of Ronaldinho in Newcastle and Laurent Robert going to Paris. But no, I stay in Newcastle - it's a big club," he said.

"I love the club, the country and the football. My contract has two years to go and if it's possible I will stay two years, no problem.

"Bobby Robson is the best manager and the best man. Every other manager is the same, but he is different."

Sir Bobby Robson has once again defended the signing of Lee Bowyer, who will complete his transfer to Newcastle tomorrow.

Robson said: "We knew we would get a hard time for buying Bowyer. As a football club, we anticipated it.

"I knew personally that I'd be slaughtered by certain people for buying him but I went ahead with it anyway.

"I got clobbered but he is a very, very good player and we have got him without paying a fee, which is good business."

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