Newcastle Remains Star's "Preferred Choice" Despite Transfer Speculation

Colo wants to "end his career" on Tyneside, claims McClaren.

by Chris Waugh
Fabricio Coloccini "wants to finish" his career on Tyneside and Newcastle United "remains his preferred choice" as a club, insists Steve McClaren. The Argentine has been the subject of reported interest from Greek side Olympiacos, as well as a with a reunion with his former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace in recent weeks and he failed to play a single minute of Newcastle's pre-season schedule. Coloccini has been struggling with an Achilles problem and sat out the Magpies€™ 1-0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, but McClaren is adamant the centre-back remains part of his plans going forward.
Quoted in The Chronicle, McClaren said of Coloccini:
"I have spoken to him several times. Seven years he has been at Newcastle. "He is coming to the end of his career and he wants to finish it here. I have said 'great, that will do me'. And let's just get him on the field and playing now. "He has got a year left on his contract and Newcastle is always his preferred choice. "I know there is speculation but my indication is that he wants to stay here and take the club forward."
It is highly doubtful that Coloccini will be fit to play against Southampton in Newcastle's Premier League opener on Sunday, however, due to his lack of gametime. Interestingly, Pardew himself does not seem confident either that Coloccini will be on his way to south London this summer. When asked about the possibility of the Argentine moving to Selhurst Park this season, Pardew told the Croydon Advertiser:
"I am not confident about getting that one over the line at all. That link keeps getting thrown up. "He's a Newcastle player and a great player. He's a man and a warrior and was my captain for five years, so obviously I've got great affection for him. "But at the moment there is no deal or no discussions as such."
Newcastle's sometimes shambolic defending in pre-season highlights just how quickly the Magpies need their skipper back though. The sooner he returns, the better for Newcastle. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
Contributor
Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.