San Lorenzo end pursuit of Coloccini, for now...

Colo stays put for now After a fortnight of uncertainty one of the most bizarre transfer stories of the January transfer has finally been put to bed.

Fabricio Coloccini will remain at Newcastle United as San Lorenzo have finally admitted defeat in their pursuit of the Argentinian defender.

Now I don't know if that is it full stop or if that is it until the summer, but at least it allows everyone to move on and concentrate on the job in hand which is Premier League survival. The very last thing we needed was our Captain buggering off in our time of need and it seems that we've managed to avoid that particular situation although with San Lorenzo unable to offer any kind of fee and with Coloccini locked into a long-term deal it was, perhaps, the most logical outcome.

In a brief statement on the San Lorenzo website they said the following:

“Finally, after long negotiations, we announce that Fabricio Coloccini will not join the squad of San Lorenzo. It was not possible to release the Newcastle player and therefore the club will look for another alternative.”

It wasn't possible to release the player as football just doesn't work like that. Not many players just get released from a deal, especially not players of the importance of Fabricio Coloccini no matter how much his Dad doth protest about it. I'm actually glad we've stood our ground on this one.

Tim Vickery, a BBC correspondent for South American football, said earlier in the week that he believed the whole situation to be a publicity stunt following recent Presidential elections at the club. I don't think he is to far wide of the mark. At least I hope not anyway...

So it's done and over with for now. The one thing we have to watch for however is the mindset of our Captain. He needs to lead now more than ever and if his head and heart really isn't in Newcastle then his place in the side must come under scrutiny.

Fortunately I, along with many others, have been watching him in the games against Norwich and Reading and I couldn't see any adverse reaction and was happy enough with his performances. That was when there was the possibility of an escape route however.

It strengthens our defence knowing we have Colo for the rest of the season, and with Steven Taylor on the verge of a return to the first team and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa we suddenly start to look a lot more solid at the back. I don't even mind Mike Williamson as fourth-choice cover to be honest.

So, for now anyway, the good news keeps on coming!