Solano's Bernabeu dream

Nolberto Solano has said he would "swim as far as the Bernabeu" if there was an offer on the table to join Real Madrid!

The Peruvian winger has risked the wrath of manager Bobby Robson by making these comments in the press but has said he wouldn't think twice about quitting St. James' Park if the chance was there to join Real Madrid.

However he also said that there had been nothing but speculation linking him with a move to Spain this summer, and certainly neither he nor Newcastle had been approached about a possible deal.

Solano joined Newcastle from Boca Juniors in the summer of 1998 and has so far found it difficult to adjust to life in the Premiership.

He has said it is difficult to get used to the physical side of the game in this country but is continuing to improve with plenty of hard work.

So far this summer he has been linked to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Parma after being on the verge of signing a new deal with Newcastle which would have kept him with The Magpies until 2006.