Boumsong linked with return

Reports in France indicate that Monaco are keen to bring Newcastle's Jean-Alain Boumsong back to Ligue 1.

The former Auxerre defender has endured a dreadful season at St James' Park after being involved in a number of calamitous errors for The Magpies.

With a new manager still to be appointed following the sacking of Graeme Souness the playing staff on Tyneside are unsure as to whether they remain in the long-term plans of the club.

French outfit Monaco are now reportedly keen to end Boumsong's difficult spell in England by offering him an escape route back to his home country.

The defender made his name with Auxerre before a Bosman switch to Rangers in 2004 and his time away from France has not been a resounding success despite remaining a fixture in Raymond Domenech's international plans.

Meanwhile the French press are also speculating that Liverpool and Lyon are both interested in Monaco stopper Sebastien Squillaci.

The French international is highly rated in Ligue 1 and was heavily linked with a move to Gerard Houllier's league leaders in January.