Alan Pardew isn’t just fighting relegation at Newcaslte United, he has a massive fight on his hands to keep hold of influential captain Fabricio Coloccini.
Argentinian Coloccini is supposedly keen on a move back to his homeland for personal reasons, enter Coloccini’s former San Lorenzo, where he spent the 2000/01 season on loan from AC Milan, to offer the centre back a club back home.
Despite being keen on Coloccini returning to play for San Lorenzo the Argentinian club are financially unable to pay for the services of the Newcastle captain, therefore are asking Alan Pardew to release the 30 year old from the contract he signed just last year.
San Lorenzo president Matias Lammens has said “We are going to offer him a good contract, he wants to come and I have hope that it can be done.
“But Coloccini has to end his contract. We depend on the feelings of the player and on what he can negotiate in England. We can’t buy his transfer in no way. He has been chosen as the best defender of the Premier League, he is an elite player.
“San Lorenzo can only point to Coloccini’s feelings and not to his pocket. He has personal problems and wants to return to Argentina. We can only offer him a good contract.”
Pardew will hope his unwillingness to release Coloccini from St James’ Park will see him stay in the North East of England to fight the club’s relegation battle rather than head home and leave a gaping hole in The Magpies’ back line.
Sam Jewell