THE transfer deadline passed without Newcastle United recruiting a new centre-back – but they intend to make an even more important signing by the end of the week.
United ended the month with Leon Best locked in negotiations with Celtic as The Journal went to press but with a move for Adrian Mariappa mothballed, after Watford refused to accept a fourth bid. It was a low-key way to close the transfer window but they hope to provide more good news imminently.
The Journal understands Fabricio Coloccini’s Brazil-based agent is due in Tyneside for the final stages of negotiations over a five-and-a-half year contract for the Newcastle skipper.
With Coloccini keen to commit and United offering him a pay bump, there is optimism a new contract can be inked soon in a move that would end persistent talk of interest from other clubs. Liverpool are among those monitoring him, along with several sides in Spain.
There is a determination in the Newcastle boardroom to get the deal done though and United believe it would be a significant step forward for them after closing a transfer window which Alan Pardew deemed a “success”.
James Tavernier has joined MK Dons on loan but they will now soldier on with their existing defensive options, with Pardew praising James Perch in his pre-match briefing ahead of tonight’s clash at Blackburn – a sign that the defender, who was the subject of a bid yesterday, is the next cab off the rank in case of injury.
United also batted back a bid for Peter Lovenkrands before the 11pm deadline. That left the club with a qualified success on their hands – their failure to land defensive cover mitigated by the unexpected £9million capture of Papiss Demba Cisse from Freiburg.
