Former player will have contract terminated 3 months after Newcastle exit

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Federico Fernandez could have his contract at La Liga strugglers Elche torn up just three months after joining the club on from Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United, according to Estadio Deportivo. 

When the long-serving Argentine bid farewell to St James’ Park on the final day of the summer transfer window, he departed with the kind words of Eddie Howe ringing in his ears.

“What an incredible professional,” Howe said of a man who joined Newcastle in a £6 million deal from Swansea City four years earlier (BBC Sport)  

“A great guy. I can’t speak highly enough of him and his contribution. Unfortunately for us, he picked up a couple of injuries. We didn’t see a lot of him on the pitch. But behind the scenes he was incredible.” 

Former Newcastle United defender Federico Fernandez could leave Elche already

It feels unlikely that, should he leave Elche almost as quickly as he arrived, Fernandez will depart the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero amid similar admiration and fanfare. The veteran centre-back, after all, has made next to no impact at the relegation-threatened La Liga outfit. 

The injuries that plagued his final months at Newcastle have followed him to Alicante; Fernandez making just a single appearance during Elche’s 14 league outings so far in 2022/23. 

The one-time Napoli stopper only signed a one year deal with Los Franjiverdes. As things stand, however, Fernandez is unlikely see out even the most short-term of contracts; Estadio Deportivo reporting that an early termination is on the cards. 

Elche, the report claims, have told Fernandez that they ‘do not want to continue with his services’.

And the same fate looks set to befall another experienced Argentine; Javier Pastore (Alicante Plaza). The one-time Roma and PSG playmaker, who joined the Ligue 1 champions for £38 million earlier in his career, has played even less football than Fernandez this term. 

Pastore’s only appearance was a four minute cameo off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Almeria. 

Elche have not won a single one of their 14 matches this term.