LAURENT ROBERT has rocked the boat at Newcastle again - by declaring his interest in joining Manchester United or Arsenal.

The controversial Frenchman reckons he has a better chance of being a Premiership title winner with the two sides who finished above Newcastle this season.

Robert has been on the receiving end of Sir Bobby Robson's wrath for speaking out against his teammates and the club.

The winger, signed by Robson from Paris St Germain for £9.5m nearly two years ago, was forced to issue a statement in January refuting reports that he had claimed there was a dressing-room split at St James' Park between English and foreign players, and pledging his allegiance to the Geordies.

Robert has also clashed with skipper Alan Shearer, full-back Andy Griffin and first-team coach John Carver.

Robson is on record as saying that Robert is the most difficult player he has had to handle in 35 years in management.

And his latest comments won't go down well. Robert said: "I feel good at Newcastle, but if I receive any interesting offers, I will study them carefully.

"It would not upset me to experience other countries or even other clubs in England.

"There are only two other clubs here that interest me - Manchester United and Arsenal.

"If I was to leave Newcastle, it would be to join one of those two, as I have a desire to win the championship.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle left-back Joe Kendrick, 19, has agreed a three-year deal with 1860 Munich, who the Magpies beat over two legs in the Intertoto Cup almost two years ago.

Newcastle decided against offering Kendrick a new contract. The Republic of Ireland Under-20 international is a former Hartlepool United trialist.

l Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie has warned clubs about making illegal approaches for his players after an Italian agent claimed he had conducted talks with Spurs over the transfer of Mark Viduka, writes IAN PARKES.

Italian agent Andrea D'Amico said he met Spurs chairman Daniel Levy at White Hart Lane to discuss the Australian.

However, McKenzie claimed Viduka was not for sale and no-one had expressed an interest in him.

''We've had no approach for Mark Viduka from Spurs or any other club,'' McKenzie said.

''I am surprised to hear the claims of talks between an agent and Spurs because it would constitute an illegal approach. Mark Viduka isn't for sale.''

D'Amico's version of the situation is different, claiming a host of clubs were chasing Viduka.

''At the moment it is only interest from Spurs, and there are a lot of clubs in Europe who are interested in Mark,'' he said.

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