Sir Bobby Robson last night declared it was "about time" negotiations were finalised over his severance package with Newcastle.

The Magpies are understood to be close to reaching a financial settlement with their former boss after seven months of wrangling.

The 72-year-old departed the Magpies last August after a poor start to the season. His exit ended a five-year reign, and Robson and Newcastle have been in dispute ever since over financial terms.

It was thought agreement between the two parties had been reached with a conclusion to the saga imminent.

However, Robson said: "As far as I'm concerned, that's jumping the gun a little bit. It's in the hands of the solicitors.

"I was dismissed in August and it's now April, so it's about time and it's in the hands of the lawyers. That's all I can tell you."

Robson, one of the guests of honour at last night's World Cup qualifier between England and Azerbaijan at St James' Park, has been fighting to have his contract - which was due to expire at the end of June - paid up in full, while Newcastle have continued to hand over his monthly salary.

The club's obligation would have ended if the former England boss had taken another job.

Although he has been linked with several vacancies since, and is keen to work again in the Premiership, the right offer is yet to come along.

Robson took charge at Newcastle in September 1999 with the club in the bottom two and in danger of slipping out of the top flight.

However, he resurrected their fortunes to such an extent that last season's fifth-place finish after back-to-back fourth places was regarded as a major disappointment.

Robson had already been told the current campaign would be his last, much to his disappointment, and his dream of bowing out by claiming the club's first major trophy in 36 years was ended when he was sacked before the end of August.

l Italian giants AC Milan are understood to be close to finalising a £5m deal for Newcastle outcast Hugo Viana.

The Portuguese midfielder has spent this season on loan with United's UEFA Cup quarter-final opponents, Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting are keen to sign the 22-year-old on a permanent basis, but are unable to match Newcastle's valuation of a player who cost them £8.5m when he moved to Tyneside in June 2002. Milan are willing to pay £5m and are expected to complete the formalities of the deal once the transfer window re-opens at the end of the season.