DUTCH superstar Patrick Kluivert lines up for Barcelona against Newcastle United tonight having sensationally admitted that he would consider a move to St. James' Park.

Sir Bobby Robson is a long-time admirer of the Holland striker, but received no encouragement with past enquiries.

Kluivert, who trained with his Barca teammates at Chester-le-Street yesterday ahead of the glamour friendly with United, revealed he was aware of Sir Bobby's interest and would listen if there was any fresh approach.

''I like the Premiership,'' said Kluivert. ''It's a good league and I know that many clubs have been linked with me in the past.

''I was aware that Newcastle United wanted me, but at the time I was very happy at Barca and wanted to stay, so I don't know how far the interest went.

''But things change and I've been at Barcelona for five years now, so who knows what will happen in the future?

''I'd consider any offer that came in, and if Newcastle were still interested in me, then why not?

''I know Newcastle are a great club and a good team, and my teammates in the national team, who have played for Mr Robson, say he is a good coach and also a fantastic man.''

For the moment, Sir Bobby is focusing on tonight's game and the forthcoming challenge of the Champions' League and a new Premiership season.

The Newcastle boss will tonight showcase the talents he insists prove his club have the pulling power to match the country's Big Three.

With Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson waging psychological warfare against Arsenal rival Arsene Wenger before a Premiership ball is kicked, claiming Gunners linchpin Patrick Vieira would rather be an Old Trafford player, Robson maintained that the Magpies can also attract star quality.

Portuguese wonder boy Hugo Viana, hailed by Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd as the "best young player in the world'', is a case in point.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who cost £8.5m this summer when he arrived from Sporting Lisbon, makes his home debut tonight as a left-wing stand-in for back stress fracture victim Laurent Robert.

Newcastle beat off Liverpool and Spaniards Celta Vigo to land Viana and Robson revealed that the deal had Anfield boss Gerard Houllier cursing.

"Two other clubs were in for Hugo at the same money, and one of them was Liverpool,'' said Robson.

"I spoke to Gerard Houllier recently and he said, 'You bugger, you pipped me'.

"I don't think we would ever have too much trouble if we went after a player. We finished fourth in the Premiership last season and I think that helps.

"If you're a top Premiership club and you have 52,000 watching you in a fantastic stadium, players aren't stupid, they know what they're getting and it's a big draw for them.

"Hugo knew about Newcastle and he must have known about me from my time with Sporting.

"The profile of the club is raised now. I think this is the best squad we've had for years. We brought Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy here last summer, Kieron Dyer and Nolberto Solano came here, and we've got the likes of Alan Shearer and Gary Speed.

"I think we're in the mainstream now and we won't stand still - we must try to improve. If that means investing a bit more money and the chairman is happy with that, we'll do it.''

With the £5m signing from Ipswich of England Under-21 centre-back Titus Bramble, another making his home bow tonight, Robson has already spent £13.5m this summer.

The Barca game is the ideal test for the Geordies with next week's Champions' League first leg qualifier away to either NK Zeljeznicar or Lillestrom SK looming.

Tonight will evoke fond memories among the Toon Army of their side's 3-2 eclipse of Barca on Tyneside in the Champions' League five years ago when Tino Asprilla - guest of honour this time - hit an unforgettable hat-trick.

Newcastle have so far sold 47,700 tickets, which ensures a record crowd for a St. James' friendly, beating the existing mark of 47,124 set when Swedish side Norrkoping beat United 3-2 in November 1946.

Meanwhile, Robson revealed that Robert, who faces three months out, has returned to his native France to consult a "professor'' about his spinal injury.

Robson said: "There are two different opinions on how to treat it, and one would involve Laurent wearing something like a strait-jacket. We're deliberating over that and the player will have his say.''

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