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Press article:

Solano won't be going - 07/06/2003

Nolberto Solano will not be leaving Newcastle United this summer as Sir Bobby Robson attempts to build a squad capable of challenging the Premiership's top two and mounting a serious assault on Europe.

The Magpies' manager last night ridiculed suggestions that the club's Peruvian winger would become the most high-profile casualty of Lee Bowyer's imminent move to Tyneside. And Robson, who has described Solano as the most consistent South American to grace English football for 20 years, sees the former Boca Juniors playmaker as a key part of his immediate plans. "As a club we have never made any comment about Nobby's future, but I have seen certain stories which amaze me," he explained. "I can assure our supporters he is going nowhere. He is contracted to Newcastle until 2006 and I'm staggered there have been suggestions he is going to move simply because we have strengthened our midfield."

Solano has his critics, but the experienced international remains one of the most consistent flank players in the country and his value is not lost on a management team assembling a predominantly youthful squad. Robson is well aware that the 28-year-old will be required to represent his country in a series of internationals next season. But Newcastle's boss accepts the Peruvian has put club before country for the past 18 months and is prepared to cut Solano some slack.

There is no doubt the £5m-rated midfielder will have a big part to play in Europe this season - even if Bowyer poses a serious threat to Solano's long-term Premiership future. "Lee Bowyer can play a wide variety of positions including the right of midfield, but it's well known that he's suspended for six matches in Europe," added Robson. "With that in mind, we would be foolish to sell any of our senior midfield players. "We have a top-class squad and I am always looking to add to that squad. What I do not intend to do is diminish the quality we already have at St James's Park."

Solano is currently on holiday back home in Lima but it is understood a player signed for £2.5m six summers ago is aware of the suggestion Bowyer has been bought to replace him. However, that could not be further from the truth and so keen are Newcastle to nip such talk in the bud that chairman Freddie Shepherd added: "There is no way we would want Nobby to leave. "We have a number of midfield players who can play in a variety of positions and the secret is making sure we have strength in depth."

Newcastle Journal


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