If Coloccini agrees to stay until the end of the season, Newcastle may be more
willing to sell him in the summer, while the financial penalty for fighting
their decision would be severe and sour his excellent relationship with the
club’s supporters.
Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias also made it clear to San Lorenzo,
the club looking to manipulate the player’s desire to return to Argentina to
sign him on a free transfer, that they would take legal action if Coloccini
tried to play for them after quitting England.
Despite regularly talking about signing Coloccini and the attractive personal
terms they would offer, Newcastle did not have any contact with San
Lorenzo’s officials until they got in touch to warn them of the consequences
should they continue to unsettle their player.
Coloccini’s situation remains delicate and Pardew will continue to pacify his
captain and ensure he is in the correct frame of mind to play against Aston
Villa on Tuesday night.
Pardew will hope to have taken the number of signings in this window to five
by the time he takes his team to Birmingham for a pivotal relegation face
off.
Striker Yoan Gouffran completed his £1.3 million move to Newcastle from
Bordeaux yesterday and was joined by France Under-21 international left back
Massadio Haidara, who finalised his £3.5 million switch from Nancy.
They join fellow French exports, Mathieu Debuchy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in
swapping Ligue 1 for a Premier
League relegation battle Gouffran’s task is perhaps the hardest as
he will be expected to replace top goalscorer Demba Ba, whose departure for
Chelsea has been felt acutely.
“Can I score as many as Demba Ba? Yes. I’m a centre-forward,” he said. “I have
proven that I can score goals in France.
“It will be different in the Premier League and it is up to me to make sure I
go on the pitch and score and do everything I can to succeed in the Premier
League.
“If I do well for Newcastle and score regularly, it goes without saying I will
be called into the France squad. My first aim is to settle as quickly as I
can and show I’m good enough to handle the Premier League.”
Newcastle have persuaded Toulouse to let them have midfielder Moussa Sissoko
in this window rather than wait until the end of the season The club agreed
a pre-contract with the 22-year-old for him to join when his contract at
Toulouse expires in June, but Pardew wants to bring him to England now.
Despite insisting Sissoko will not play for the team again this season,
Toulouse were holding out for £2.5 million to allow him to leave this month.
Newcastle were willing to pay only £1.5 million.
That should conclude Newcastle’s business this month, although they have not
ruled out the possibility they will add another player to the squad if one
of their long term targets become available.