14 May 2006

Rangers are planning a triple swoop for St Etienne star Didier Zokora with Benfica aces Luisao and Laurent Robert.

New Ibrox boss Paul le Guen has targeted the three as he begins rebuilding. Sports of the World can reveal le Guen wants Ivory Coast central midfielder Zokora, 25, who's also attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Gers Chief is facing stiff competition from Inter Milan and French champions Lyon who may swoop for the player if they sell Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

Zokora's agent Franck Belhassen said: "It's true Rangers are interested in Didier. Le Guen likes him. But they're not the only ones after Zokora. At the moment there is no firm offer."

Le Guen is also targeting Brazil central defender Luisao and former Newcastle and Portsmouth winger Robert and has already made a formal approach to the Portuguese giants who rate Luisao at £10.5m and Robert at around £3m.

Robert was offloaded on to Portsmouth after a series of bust-ups at St James' Park during Graeme Souness's management reign left him on the sidelines before he ended up at Benfica in January.

Benfica sporting director Jose Veiga said: "I can confirm that Rangers have called us for these two players. We have received offers." Source - News of the World

12 May 2006

FORMER Newcastle winger Laurent Robert has claimed Paul Le Guen wants to bring him to Ibrox.

The 31-year-old has sparked huge specualation about his future at Benfica after insisting on Portuguese television that he has an offer to join up with Le Guen's Rangers revolution.

And Robert followed up that claim by insisting yesterday that he has spoken to Le Guen and that he would love to end his career in Glasgow.

Record Sport understands Rangers do have a tentative interest in the player but are only likely to follow that up if Peter Lovenkrands turns down anew contract offer.

Even then Robert is one of a number of names Le Guen is considering as a possible target should the Dane opt to move on.

But Robert said: "I would love to play for Paul Le Guen. I have spoken to him and I would be interested in a move to Rangers.

"I know their chairman as I have spoken to him in the past and they are a massive club.

"It would be down to the two clubs, but I would be interested in playing for Rangers.

"I had the chance to go there before I went to Newcastle and maybe I should have gone then.

"It is not about money, I would like to finish my career at a top club and Rangers would be a big opportunity."

Robert's furious fall-outs with Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness eventually brought about the end of his five-year stint at St James' Park.

The one-time £9.5million French international moved to Portsmouth last summer but quit after just six months after another internal bust-up.

Robert helped Benfica reach the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League. Source - Daily Record

12 May 2006

Benfica winger Laurent Robert could be signed as a replacement for Peter Lovenkrands should the Dane leave Ibrox in the summer.

And the 30-year-old, previously of Newcastle United and Portsmouth, is keen on signing for new Rangers boss and fellow Frenchman Paul Le Guen.

"I would love to play for Paul Le Guen," said Robert.

"I have spoken to him and I would be interested in a move to Rangers. They are a massive club."

Robert left Newcastle at the start of last season and, after an underwhelming loan spell at Fratton Park, opted to join Benfica on a free transfer.

He is still under contract with Benfica but has also failed to hit peak form for the Portuguese side.

"It would be down to the two clubs, but I would be interested in playing for Rangers," he said.

"I had the chance to go there before I went to Newcastle and maybe I should have gone then.

"It is not about money, I would like to finish my career at a top club and Rangers would be a big opportunity."

Meanwhile, Lovenkrands has been given a deadline by Rangers chairman David Murray.

Rejuvenated Lovenkrands has been linked with a move to Italian giants Roma and the Ibrox chief is losing patience over the striker's reluctance to sign a new contract.

"Peter has another couple of days to make his mind up, but if he wants to leave then we will move swiftly to replace him with a high-quality player," said Murray.

"Robert is obviously known to the manager, but we will take things one step at a time." Source - BBC Sport

11 May 2006

Laurent Robert has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Rangers.

Rangers are reported to be interested in signing the Benfica winger as Paul Le Guen begins his rebuilding plans at Ibrox.

Robert has welcomed Rangers' interest and admits he would be keen on a move to Ibrox.

The Frenchman has endured an indifferent time at Benfica since his switch in January from Newcastle.

Robert, who came close to joining Rangers before moving to Newcastle, admits he would like to play for Le Guen.

"I would love to play for Paul Le Guen," Robert told skysports.com.

"I have spoken to him and I would be interested in a move to Rangers.

"I know their chairman as I have spoken to him in the past and they are a massive club.

"It would be down to the two clubs, but I would be interested in playing for Rangers.

"I had the chance to go there before I went to Newcastle and maybe I should have gone then.

"It is not about money, I would like to finish my career at a top club and Rangers would be a big opportunity." Source - Sky Sports