NEWCASTLE United manager Bobby Robson yesterday admitted his admiration for Benfica's Portuguese winger Simao Sabrosa.

But the United boss will baulk at the £7m-plus asking price for the 22-year-old, who is currently injured.

Robson pulled off a major coup two weeks ago when he completed a surprise £8.5m swoop for Sporting Lisbon's teenage Portugal midfielder Hugo Viana.

Since then, United have been linked with a string of Portuguese stars and Sabrosa has clearly caught Robson's eye.

"He is a great player, an interesting player, who is lightning quick,'' said Robson.

"I have seen him playing for Barcelona and I know that he had a good start to his career with Benfica.

"But, at the moment, he is recovering from injury.''

Robson, meanwhile, has hardened his interest in Republic of Ireland World Cup star Gary Breen.

The 28-year-old centre-back, who scored in the Republic's Far East victory over Saudi Arabia, is available on a free transfer after being released at the end of his contract by First Division Coventry.

Robson, who has agreed to loan Scottish international Gary Caldwell to the Sky Blues next season, is looking to add another central defender to his squad even though Titus Bramble's £5m move from Ipswich is set to be confirmed.

Everton are eager to land Breen, who has also been linked with West Ham and Southampton, but Newcastle are in the frame.

"There is substance to it. Newcastle's interest is quite clear," said agent Sky Andrew.

The signing of Bramble swells Newcastle's central defensive ranks to seven.

But with Caldwell set to go out on loan and Spanish flop Marcelino very much surplus, Robson has his sights on yet another stopper.

Tenerife's Argentinian star Federico Lussenhoff is also under consideration, but any deal depends on a swap involving midfielder and fellow countryman Christian Bassedas, who was loaned to the Canary Islands side last season.

Newcastle's need for more backline cover stems from on-loan Sylvain Distin's decision to snub a permanent move to Tyneside and join Manchester City in a £4m deal.

United have complained to the FA that newly-promoted City poached Distin before the Magpies' option to buy him from Paris St. Germain had expired.

But City boss Kevin Keegan yesterday dismissed his former club's claims. Keegan said: "Newcastle didn't take up their option in the period they could have done, so we moved in.

"If we had been in the Premiership then (last season) he would have been here then. We couldn't offer that, so the deal never happened."

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