NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson is understood to be lining up a £2.5m swoop for Turkey midfielder Sergen Yalcin.

Turkish sources insist United have agreed a fee for the 27-year-old schemer, who plays for Galatasaray and starred for his country at Euro 2000.

A move for Sergen would leave United well-stocked in the midfield department, with Robson having already signed £4m Argentinian Christian Bassedas to compete alongside the likes of Kieron Dyer, Robert Lee and Gary Speed.

United have also taken Portuguese midfielder 'Bruno' on trial with a view to a possible £2m deal.

The Magpies' interest in the CS Maritimo player - real name Marcelo Pereira Fernandes - was revealed in EchoSPORT last month.

Meanwhile, Robson has issued a hands-off warning over defender Steve Howey.

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool have all been linked with United's longest-serving player.

But Wearsider Howey wants to stay at St James' Park and Robson has made it plain he has no intention of selling the former England international, despite his propensity to break down with injuries.

Robson is anxious to get rid of £5m Spanish misfit Marcelino and keen to trade him for Deportivo La Coruna's Portuguese defender Helder, who was on loan with United last season.

But Robson is seeking a cash adjustment and before jetting off yesterday on a two-match tour of the United States, he conceded: "We have to sit tight on the Helder situation. He's had injuries, so we have to be careful about that.

"But we have our usual glut of centre-halves in Alain Goma, Nikos Dabizas and Steve Howey, who are all top Premiership players.

"Then we have Aaron Hughes who's a floater - he can play anywhere across the back-four.

"We've got plenty of cover in defence and we don't need to rush into signing a centre-half.''

Meanwhile, Everton have confirmed their interest in re-signing Newcastle striker Duncan Ferguson, even though Robson insists he is not for sale.

Ferguson has been plagued by injuries in the 20 months since he reluctantly left Goodison Park in an £8m deal.

But manager Walter Smith, who was angry when the Merseysiders went against his wishes and sold Ferguson, is weighing up a cut-price £3.5m move for the big Scot.

Everton are looking for frontline cover for Kevin Campbell and Goodison owner Bill Kenwright admitted: "Ferguson's name has been mentioned but there's nothing imminent.''

l NEWCASTLE yesterday jetted out to the United States for a ten-day trip which will take in two friendly matches.

l MORE than 1,000 corporate seats are still unsold at St James' Park for the new season.

Jane Duffy, one of six fans who lost a High Court bid to prevent Newcastle from moving supporters from their seats to make way for corporate clients, said: "It proves that whatever the club was claiming there was never the demand for corporate-type seats at St James'.'