Source: Daily_Mail
Campbell free to play football after concluding Notts County contract spat
Sol Campbell is free to resume his playing career after finally agreeing to Notts County's gagging order.[LNB]The former England defender left the League Two club by 'mutualconsent' in September, four weeks after signing a £10million, five-yearcontract. But the club refused to release his registration until heagreed to a 'statement of departure' preventing him talking publiclyabout his time at Meadow Lane.[LNB]The former Portsmouth, Arsenal and Tottenham centre half has beenwidely tipped to join Championship high-flyers Newcastle but managerChris Hughton has a deal in place to take Sheffield United's MatthewKilgallon to the club in January.[LNB]Free agent: Campbell[LNB]Campbell's salary demands would also prove a stumbling block to anymove to St James' Park. Hughton works to a strict pay structure,imposed since the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League,and Campbell's reported £40,000-a-week wages at County are unlikely tobe matched.[LNB]Rumours of a move to Newcastle have persisted since Campbell and hisfiancee Fiona Barratt, daughter of Geordie property tycoon Sir LaurieBarratt, purchased Hallington Hall in Northumberland in June.[LNB]The 35-year-old called in PFA chief Gordon Taylor in an attempt toresolve the issue and now appears to have backed down. Taylor said:'Sol Campbell is now a free agent. His contract dispute has beenresolved and he is free to pursue football in the January transferwindow. He can sign for any club he wants.'[LNB]Taylor refused to reveal the 'intricacies' of the settlement but admitted it had been 'delicate' to resolve.[LNB]Campbell lasted 28 days at Meadow Lane after his former England bossSven Goran Eriksson persuaded him to join the long-term project. Hissolitary game ended in a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe and Campbell walkedout three days later on September 22.[LNB]West Bromwich are also interested in Campbell, who was capped 73times by England, while Basle have stated their desire to sign thedefender.[LNB] Chris Hughton denies Campbell is close to completing Newcastle dealSol desperate to clinch Newcastle move as he fights County gag order[LNB] Explore more:People:Sven Goran Eriksson, Matthew Kilgallon, Gordon TaylorPlaces:Newcastle, United Kingdom, St James' Park
