[Thatslife]

Hugo Viana Set For Loan Move

The race for Hugo Viana is on in Portugal
Newcastle United have announced that promising Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana has been made available to go on loan to another club.

Manager Bobby Robson has already ruled out the possibility of loaning Viana to another Premiership club.

"I don't want him playing against us," Robson said. "I'm not ruling out a loan move for Hugo. But they will have to guarantee he will play. It's pointless to send him to another club just to be a substitute again."

Robson's words have sparked plenty of speculation in Portugal where Viana told the media that he would like to return this season.

"If I go anywhere, it will be back to Portugal. Whether I go there on loan or permanently is up to Newcastle. I don't want to be here if I don't play," Viana said.

Viana has made it clear that he wants to play for Portugal in Euro 2004 and believes that a move away from Newcastle is the best way to accomplish his goal.

Viana's two-year tenure with the Magpies has been disappointing following his £8.5 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon last summer. Viana has made a total of 41 appearances for Newcastle, 22 of them as a substitute, scoring 3 times.

FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica are the obvious frontrunners for Viana's services. Because Bobby Robson and Porto manager Jose Mourinho are close friends, the Dragons could be set to land Viana come January. However, because Viana has appeared in the Champions League this season with Newcastle, he would only be able to help the club domestically.

Sporting Lisbon on the other hand, is out of the UEFA Cup and might be a better fit for Viana. The Lisbon Lions would provide a familiar setting for their former prodigy.

Benfica inquired about Viana's services last season. But financial constraints at the club means they cannot afford Hugo's transfer fee and would only be able to secure him on loan.