EXPERIENCED England defender Sol Campbell could become Glenn Roeder's first signing for Newcastle United - but not until after the World Cup.

Campbell has been told he can leave Arsenal this summer and is believed to have already held talks with the Magpies regarding a move to St James' Park.

Roeder, who is willing to listen to offers for French flop Jean-Alain Boumsong, is determined to bolster his defensive ranks during the close-season and the 31-year-old looks like being the most viable option.

Chelsea's German blocker Robert Huth is another target but it is the Arsenal star who is highest on Roeder's list of targets.

There have been suggestions that Arsenal are looking for around £8m for a player who has three years left to run on a lucrative £60,000 a week contract.

But, because of the figures in his deal, the Gunners may sanction the sale of the centre-back on the cheap, although not for free.

Turkish side Fenerbahce are also known to have made inquiries about acquiring Campbell's services and they are prepared to take on his £3m-a-year terms.

Fulham, who could offer the chance for him to stay in his London home, are also monitoring the situation, particularly as they have released former Newcastle defender Alain Goma.

But Roeder, a former centre-back himself, will attempt to pull out all the stops in a bid to land his man. Campbell would offer stability at the heart of a previously leaky backline, despite having to overcome personal problems last season.

It is the second time Campbell has been tracked by Newcastle.

A year ago, after Campbell criticised Arsene Wenger during a jaunt to the USA with the England squad, Wenger offered him to the St James' Park board but he refused to move.

But, after he has returned from World Cup duty, Campbell is ready to make a decision on whether to sign for Newcastle and the signs are said to be encouraging from a Tyneside perspective.

Roeder would ideally like to land his summer transfer targets before the start of the finals but admits that may not be the case.

"A lot of managers will be going to view the World Cup but from my experience you have to treat international competitions like this with a lot of care," said Roeder.

"You have to be careful with players who do well in Germany because it can be a massive gamble if a player does well in a World Cup or one of the major competitions.

"I've learned that myself just from watching other managers over the years.

"The true guideline for signing a player has to come from watching his performances week in, week out, over the course of the season."

For Newcastle to strengthen their arm in the transfer market this summer, Roeder knows he will have to sell a number of his players.

Boumsong and Albert Luque are the two expensive purchases likely to be the most high-profile out of the door.