BOLTON Wanderers are expecting to sign Newcastle winger Laurent Robert on a three-year contract.

Wanderers have agreed a fee of £1.5 million with Newcastle for the 30-year-old, who moved to St James' Park for £9.5 million from Paris St-Germain four years ago.

The move will disappoint Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin, who had hoped to tempt his fellow Frenchman to Fratton Park.

His Monaco-based adviser Willie McKay confirmed the deal and said: "Laurent is flying in from Reunion Island to undertake a medical.

"Bolton will arrange a private plane to drop off his children in Montpellier and then take him back to Manchester.

"Personal terms have been agreed, at more or less the same terms as his contract at Newcastle."

Wanderes would not make any comment on the deal on Monday.

Allardyce will hope to do what both Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness failed to do - get the best out of the winger on a consistent basis while, at the same time, keeping the balance of their team.

Robert arrived on Tyneside with a reputation of being difficult.

And he has lived up to the bad-boy tag with the Toon and managed to get himself into a host of scrapes with St James Park chiefs simply because he could not keep his thoughts to himself.

Robert finished last season by stripping to his underwear in front of supporters and giving his kit to fans as a farewell memento.

The Geordie faithful had often chanted Roberts name, demanding an appearance, although he was often unpredictable when brought on.

Under Robson, who brought him to the club, Robert would frustrate fans and team-mates alike with his tendency to shoot from improbable angles and dwell on the ball.

However, he also produced moments of magic - including two stunning strikes against Tottenham two seasons ago, both from long distance.

Toon boss Souness once said of the mercurial star: "We have a love-hate relationship.

"He loves me and I love him - and then we want to bash each other up."

Yet, knowing his track record with players with a difficult reputation, such as El-Hadji Diouf, Sam Allardyce could be about to pull off the bargain of the summer.

Robert played alongside Jay Jay Okocha at Paris St Germain and with several French-speaking players in his squad, the Bolton manager will be hoping the winger can settle in quickly at the Reebok.