£12 million then - £12 million now.

Charles N'Zogbia has apparently got his heart set on a return to St James' Park if you believe some stories that have been in the press over the last 24 hours.

I can only assume that the club are showing the required amount of ambition these days on the grounds that the huffy little Frenchman cited that as one of the reasons that he wanted to leave Newcastle back in 2009. Of course it wasn't the only reason, but when the sign of your ambition is that you end up at Wigan then it sticks in your throat somewhat.

The other reason is that Charles N'Zogbia and Joe Kinnear just did not get on. It was pretty clear from the outset and requires very little inside knowledge to work that one out. On the surface it looked like Charlie was stropping off after a blunder by JFK, but perhaps on reflection the former Le Havre winger had a point.

N'Zogbia seems to have grown up a lot since then though. He was vital for Wigan as they set about achieving Premier League safety and put in a string of stellar performances towards the back end of last season finishing with nine league goals for The Latics.

I've heard nothing about him acting up or being the 'big time Charlie' since he left us so it seems that his attitude has improved. Judging by his performances you would have to say that he has also improved on the pitch aswell, so fair play to him. Suffice to say that I'd have him back here in a heartbeat, although I'm sure that we aren't the only potential suitors.

Which brings me to the price. A fee of £12 million will apparently be required to secure the service of N'Zogbia. I don't think it's overly outlandish to be honest, and considering we apparently bid £12 million back in January you would have to ask what the difference is?

N'Zogbia would improve our team no end. If we signed him it would improve our left-side no end and would allow Jonas Gutierrez to have a go on the right-wing, which by all accounts is the position that he used to play before he signed for us and would allow the Argie to play a game which suits his stronger foot. By doing that it would also give Danny Simpson the kind of cover that Jose Enrique has become used to which would make our entire right side stronger as a result. Win-win.

I understand that people would have concerns should N'Zogbia return to Newcastle, but I don't think they should. He is rumoured to prefer a move back to us so that lad would obviously want to be here, which ticks the boxes for some. Now we just have to wait and see whether or not anything happens with it.

At £12 million though, it would be worth it.