Fabricio Coloccini CC

Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini is set to hold talks with the club today as The Magpies desperately try to prevent their top earner from leaving St James’ Park, according to the BBC.

The Argentine centreback has asked officials to allow him to leave the club on personal grounds though it is believed he hasn’t yet handed in a formal transfer request.

Manager Alan Pardew is hoping to persuade the player to remain on Tyneside until at least the end of the season with a view of reviewing the situation in six months but it is understood he fears the prospect of losing one of his most influential figures.

Having already lost star striker Demba Ba to Chelsea, Newcastle now find themselves staring at the prospect of losing their club captain and biggest defensive anchor. With just two points separating them from the relegation zone, this is proving to be a tumultuous period for the Magpies, who are without a win in five consecutive games in all competitions.

Sources close to Coloccini insist however that his desire to leave the club has nothing to do with the Magpies’ poor run of form of late but is rather down to a crisis in the player’s personal life.

The Argentinian joined Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna for £10.3m in 2008 and only last year signed a new four-year contract at St James’ Park. But it now appears as though homesickness has left the defender longing for a return to his home country and to former club San Lorenzo.

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