Newcastle warned Coloccini it would cost him £7m to leave in January

Daily Mirror reports that Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini who is looking to leave the club due to ‘personal issues’ faces the dilemma: either pay £7m and leave or stay for the rest of the season.

Newcastle hierarchy had a chat with Coloccini and his lawyers over the defender’s publicly expressed decision to leave the club in January in order to rejoin the family in Argentina.

Despite being generally sympathetic with their player’s problems, the Newcastle officials said the 31-year-old player would only be able to leave if he buys out his own contract for £7 million. Should the Argentinian go on strike and refuse to play for the team then he faces the immediate sanctions from the side of the club: his wages will be stopped and legal action sought.

The Magpies boss Alan Pardew hopes the situation will be developing favorably for the both sides and Coloccini helps his team in their fight against regelation.