Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini is expected to be in Newcastle today, to take his medical before he signs for Newcastle United.
Fabricio Coloccini – taking medical today on Tyneside
The Newcastle Journal is reporting that he could be at St. James’ Park tonight to watch the pre-season friendly game against PSV Eindhoven.
If the player has not actually signed his contract Newcastle will probably not parade Fabricio, as they did Habib Beye, after they had signed the Senegal star from Marseilles.
The deal has seemed to have dragged on, but as long as the lad signs with us, that’s the main thing, and it seems like Deportivo aren’t the best club in the world to do business with, after all.
We hope he passes his medical and signs today, so that indeed the crowd gets a chance to welcome him to Tyneside, because the fans need that little boost in the transfer market.
While he’s untried in the Premier league, a number of Newcastle fans have picked him out as the center-back of choice for Newcastle over the last 18 months or so.
It’s a pity we couldn’t tie up Jonathan Woodgate in January, it now looks like we could have got a really good central defender in Fabricio, and his attitude again looks first class.
The 26-year-old joined Deportivo from Milan, and was loaned out to Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and Alavés. While center-back is his preferred position, he can also play at right-back and central midfield, so he could be a great addition to Kevin’s squad for next season.
And like many Argentine defenders, he’s a hard tackler, physically strong and tough, which are some of the attributes you need to succeed in the Premier League.
This will be Kevin’s 4th player into the club this summer, and each one of them has been a really good buy for the club.
Gutierrez, Guthrie, Bassong and Coloccini – a winger, a central midfielder and two central defenders.
Now what we need is a left-back, central midfielder and striker, in that order of priority, to set us up for a really good season.
We’re getting there – keep the faith lads and lasses.
Now for an experienced left back to push Jose Enrique.
Comments welcome.
103 comments so far
JOeT
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Comment #41sell smith for 3mill and buy baptista
Carlos
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Comment #42I think the order of priority should be CM, followed closely by striker and then a left back.
We have people who can cover left back, and no one to even field upfront.
Plus, I think Newcastle is in bigger need of game winners at the moment.
timberhead toon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Comment #43AM is what we really need such as Fernandez I know I’ve mentioned him a couple of times (tantrum coming Up) I want I want I want I want.
Going back to the diamond formation comment
then that surely would be guthrie at the back Gutierrez and Duff/Milner on the wings with Owen at the head.
Gunnar / Iceland
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Comment #44I can’t rest until this has been finalised! He would be a great addition to the squad. Somehow I can’t see the newcastle officials signing more than 1 player (not including Coloccini) because KK had already said he was going to try and add two more new faces to the squad.
Tez131
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Comment #45If he doesn’t sign before the match lets just hope we play well and not put him off with a terrible performance!!!
WesToon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Comment #46COLO COLO COLO COLOCCINI 🙂
GO ON YOU GOOD THING
benny
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Comment #47about time. think he will be a great player.
dick
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Comment #48we need to strengthen our midfield, thats the reason man u and chelsea dont give to many goals away they can keep the ball more. when owen moved to midfield last season we looked a better team because he rarly gave the ball away
Derdi4Toon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Comment #49would like to see us in 4231 – w/o good playmaker in the centre let’s make the best use of pace, movement and quick passing in OM, MO, Zog, Duff, Guti in the attacking trio behind Duke. maybe Milner should swapped for SWP or Lennon to add even more pace and trickery behind the lone striker. give Smith and Shola away (even on a free so as to save some wages!) for Derdiyok as Duke’s backup. Barton, Guthrie, Butt, Geremi (plus Coloccini, Edgar or Guti if necessary) as the DM pair – all they hv to do is run around, protect the back4, and to pass the ball to the front trio asap after winning it. a pair of attacking fullbacks nice – Shorey, Beye, Enrique, Edgar shld suffice
Davies
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Comment #50Looks like good news is coming today, but I remember reading that Modric was on Tyneside for a medical and that was untrue. Still, keeping the faith.
We definitely need another striker. If we can shift Smith and Ameobi for £5m between them we’d have a bit to invest in either Derdiyok or Zigic (I know some of you don’t rate Zigic, but I think he’d fit into Viduka’s spot in the 4-3-1-2 quite nicely).
Does anybody think Carroll will ever make the grade?
I know he’s a local lad and all, but he gets mixed reviews on this site. He had a lot of promise and does well in the reserves.
Could he, or Zamblera be a possible solution to the striker problem if we don’t get it sorted in time?
sweendog
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Comment #51Seeing that we need attacking midfielders we could do worse than getting freddie lyunberg on a pay as you play .. very good player without the injures..
sweendog
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Comment #52he’s been released by west ham
Born Again Geordie
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Comment #53I should imagine he will be paraded infront of the crowd tonight – think about it – you can pay on the gate – new signing to show off = more bums on seats !!!!! 😀 Another Ashley master stroke – this guy knows how to make money !
Bradley
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Comment #54You say we need a Left Back, Central Midfielder and Striker in that order of importance bt i think we need a Creative Midfielder above all!
Gorskino10
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Comment #55only scary thing is this deal has took ages, what chance do we have buying another player before the window shuts, Skejbred is needed stuff the left back we have enrique or bassong. I’m not sure if we will get derdiyok but if we let smith go we need a replacement meaning new striker.
Colo's Curly Locks
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Comment #56i am happy we will soon have a player to rival ivan campo in the glorious hair competition. lol
LoonyToon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Comment #57Collichini = lovely bubbly……
Davies…Zamblera would defo be worth considering….He was on the bench v Manure Ressies 3/4 month ago…he didnt get on but at half time he was pinging them in the gallowgate end from 35/40 yards….no bother…..
spudgun
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Comment #58if he signs, he’ll make a massive difference to the team and could become a legend.
Colo's Curly Locks
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Comment #59zamblela = new christian vieri.
according to the italin under 19 boss anyway. 🙂
kajman
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Comment #60nortern ecco. are saying that ccccoooo will arive today for medical ..jst posted on web
JOeT
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Comment #61http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/06/Prem-Ilunga-linked-to-Newcastle/
has anyone seen this guy play before?
kajman
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Comment #62can’t see that happening as we are in the process of buying collii…hope its not true because that might be bad news for us signing ..collli long locks
SGtoon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Comment #63Although left back cover wold be nice, we seriously need to invest in an attacking creative midfielder and a striker – would love derdiyok and moutinho or even skelbred!
Toon Ed
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Comment #64Defo Need AM and Striker – why not get swiss youngsters INhler and Deridyok – good combo and young too – £15m net left to spend i recon
Martin
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Comment #65Collocini, Skejbred and Derdiyok…
IF we got hold of those 3 I think this transfer window (which has nearly killed most of us) would have to be seen as a possitive one!
4 young, potential stars in Bassong, Guthrie, Skejbred and Derdiyok.
2 Argentina internationals coming towards the peak of their career!
And realistically – I think we could do it for not much more than 20-25m … Almost the same price as Robbie Keane!
macaz
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Comment #66we deffo need a striker because ameobi and smith as well all know are useless, viduka is injury prone and zamblera is possibly one of the worst strikers i have seen for a while, i played against him for whitley bay FC and he is abismal!! lets get derdiyok!!
and also a good CM such as benayoun, lets be realistic we arent gona sign joa moutinho…
left back id go for baines or shorey cos they are quite cheap and have prem experience!
keep up the good work Ed!!
kajman
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Comment #6759 Martin … hope you’re right …lets get long locks in first ..and not run away with our self…ho wishful thinking
Spyro
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Comment #68hmmm, dont know much about Ilunga myself.
LoonyToon
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Comment #69macaz…Re Zamblera….Thats cos it will have been 110mph stuff and you were kicking seven shades out of him…..lol
Bingo wing
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Comment #70not to push enrique, to replace him!!!!
Tom
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Comment #71I agree with what alot of people say here, the priority should be, after getting in Curly, is a creative midfielder (inler, skjelbred, matias fernandez), followed by a target striker (derdiyok, Zigic) and then a left back (shorey, warnock, baines, quedrue).
If we could bring in players in those 3 positions, then I would be very very happy. Hell, I would even say thank you Mr Wise!
Tom
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Comment #72I’d also really like to see Zamblera have a run tonight, as well as Tozer, and maybe Kadar if he is fit!
mutoids
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Comment #73toon supporter———– lex… why?
CRAIGG
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Comment #74ONEPETERB
“Any rumours re a smith /baines swop. Seems a possibility to me”
I certainly hope so because on our part it would be a great swap as we would get Smith off the wage bill and save the money we would have spent on a left back, freeing up more cash for the central midfield player we desperately need.
Born Again Geordie
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Comment #75Off subject but I see Sky are reporting that Barca have agreed a deal with Celtic to sell Marc Crosas. Why are we not in
robertsa
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Comment #76beye collocini faye burdisso
YORKSHIREGEORDIE
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #77Simple- what we need is:
CB- Michael Turner from hull-outstanding centre back
LB- Leighton Baines to start ahead of enrique. Why do people say hes good- he’s appalling!
Creative midfielder- skjelbred or Moutinho
Striker- Nihat, Zigic or Fraizer Campbell
YORKSHIREGEORDIE
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Comment #78all fabricio has to do is pass the medical and sign the contract as he has already agreed personal terms and weve agreed a fee for him
gordond
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Comment #79Let’s hope he signs today then Yorkshiregeordie fingers crossed.
Ross
Aug 6, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Comment #80getting a little frustrated with the whole colo issue now, he was meant to have signed days and days ago, how long does it take us to wrap up a signature?
hopefully it’ll be done and dusted today, like a few others have said, before the match tonight.
if we keep on going at this pace, we could have 3 or 4 players agree to come to the club and we still wouldnt sign them before the end of the window purely due to our lack of speed.