The 30-year-old said last month: "There are two clubs I would like to go back to - Newcastle and Benfica." "If I am here today I owe it to Bobby Robson who got me back on track and helped me to get over my injuries.

"I was delighted to work for him and the Magpies and I was unhappy to leave them because of my contract with Deportivo."

Helder has a year left on his contract and, with Deportivo not approaching him about an extension, he would be able to move at the end of next season on a free transfer.

That is why the Spaniards will be looking to offload him in the summer and will be asking for a fee in the region of £2m for the player.

One possibility Robson could consider is swapping him for Toon misfit Marcelino, who has only made 18 starts since his £5.5m move from Real Mallorca two years ago.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

Answers

Surely the board can come up with 2mil for known quality and a player who wants to play for us!

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

Oh how I wish that Marthelino does go to Deportivo in place of Helder, but I reckon they'll want 3 or 4 million for him.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

Helder was a quality player, I would love to see him come back.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

I'd take a straight swap for Martha - we'll never get anything like what we paid for him.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

Get him, now!

£2m is nothing for a player of his quality and experience and the fact he wants to play for us makes him even better.

Give them Martha and £1m if they want...

Are Benfica in Europe next season?

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

He's rubbish, utterly rubbish

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001