Do we really have a chance of re-signing Charles N'Zogbia?

It seems as though Charles N'Zogbia really is keen on a return to St James' Park, if you give credit to the words of a source close to Charlie boy.

Yes it may only be a source on this occasion, but there have been several caveats dropped by N'Zogbia and his entourage in recent months, and all of them point towards the fact that Charles would welcome a move back to the North East.

Yohan Cabaye credited N'Zogbia with saying rather nice words about Newcastle which had a hand in the Former Lille midfielder moving to St James' Park. Several 'tweets' from the player have also told the story of his affection for the club he signed for back in 2004. Then there is the source.....

“Charles would be delighted to come back and complete a move to Newcastle,” said Heinz. “It’s not all about money for Charles, and despite what people people have said it is very much about football for him. He knows what a massive club Newcastle United are now.”

Interesting, but it doesn't really mean anything does it? I mean what are the chances of us re-signing our former wingman?

Personally I think there is little chance of a return of the Zog. There are several reasons for this, which I will of course go through, before you guys can have your say.

Dave Whelan

The Wigan supremo and our supremo don't get on after our sports magnate reported their sports magnate to the Office of Fair Trading for fixing the price of football shirts. That was the start, but there has been various bits of tittle-tattle since, mainly from the direction of Whelan to be fair.

As a result of this I would imagine that Newcastle would be pretty low on the list of clubs that he would like to deal with. In the case of N'Zogbia there is likely to be other interest in the player and I'm sure Whelan would do his best to nudge Charles in the direction of another club.

Transfer fee

The transfer fee could prove to be a stumbling block. It's been said that there are different prices for different clubs who are interested in N'Zogbia. Play in the Champions League and you can have him that bit cheaper than a club who aren't playing in the Champions League.

It's a bit crap if I'm honest, but it's their right to charge what they like. After all, he is their player and can be for another season if they like. He has one year remaining on his deal which will weaken the bargaining hand of Wigan somewhat and will ensure that there will be plenty of clubs sniffing around.

Squad position

In case it has escaped the minds of people, we've just signed a left winger in the form of Sylvain Marveaux. Look, really look, deep down, and ask yourself if we really have room for another. In fact that is probably the right way of putting it..... Do you think the management would see it as the "good value" we keep hearing about?

N'Zogbia would require Premier League wages. He's been there and proved he can do it in this league which will no doubt add a premium to his wages. Alan Pardew would be very keen to have him in the squad, but would the accountants?

Currently we have Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sylvain Marveaux, Joey Barton and Wayne Routledge 😆 who can play on the wing. Jonas and Ben Arfa can play on both flanks and I don't know enough about Marveaux so whether he can or not. Of course Ben Arfa is being touted for the No10 role, but he can also be used on the wing.

Can you see the club parting with the wage a fee required when we already have a few players who can do a job on either wing? Personally, I can't.

So there are just a few reasons why I don't think we'll see N'Zogbia back at Newcastle. I'd love to have him back as I think he has matured and improved a hell of a lot since he left for the more ambitious Wigan Athletic and, as I say, I'm pretty sure Alan Pardew would like to have a player of his quality to call upon, but I just can't see it.

The player may want it, but there are an awful lot of obstacles and sticking points to consider first. A return of the Zog?

I'm not putting money on it!