The Argentine defender appears certain to leave Newcastle this summer.
Newcastle United centre-back Fabricio Coloccini’s seemingly inevitable exit this summer will have to wait a little longer, as Chronicle Live report that the Magpies are unwilling to sanction his departure until they have strengthened their defence.
Coloccini is set to bring to an end his eight-year stay at St. James’ Park this window after falling out of favour on Tyneside last season.
The 34-year-old made 27 appearances in all competitions for the relegated club but the last of those came in mid-February as first injury ruled him out of action and then the good form of Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles prevented him from regaining his place.
The former Argentina international has made 274 appearances for the club in all competitions since arriving from Deportivo La Coruna in 2008, but he is now set to return to his native country with San Lorenzo.
However, according to Chronicle Live‘s report, Newcastle and Rafael Benitez will not allow him to complete his homecoming until they have added more quality and depth to their own central defensive options.
The Magpies currently have just Coloccini, Mbemba, Lascelles, and back-up player Curtis Good as their senior options to call upon in central defence, and they are looking to add more depth to their squad across the board as they prepare for the gruelling Championship season.
The report claims that Benitez is hopeful of bringing in a new defender within the week after narrowing down his options, deal which could see Coloccini’s exit completed sooner rather than later.
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