Report: Newcastle United target England international as replacement for Fabricio Coloccini

Newcastle United will look to replace wantaway Fabricio Coloccini with Steven Caulker, according to reports from the Shields Gazette

Coloccini has certainly been a great servant for Newcastle United since joining the club from Deportivo La Coruña back in 2008 for a fee of around £10.3 million.

However, it is clear to see that Coloccini is no longer the player he once was and the defender’s decline was painfully evident last season, where he put in a number of very poor performances.

Now with Newcastle suffering relegation into the Championship, Coloccini has gone on to admit that he is thinking about leaving St. James’ Park this summer.

Coloccini was quoted as saying recently, “I want to return to Argentine soccer, the priority is San Lorenzo because I’m a fan. I would like to fulfil the dream of entering the pitch with my kids and retire there.

“When I wanted to go back a few years ago it did not depend 100 per cent on me. This time is also complicated because I have one more year of contract there, but I want (to leave).

“I enjoyed the years I was away, but the truth is I’m thinking about going back. My children are here in Argentina and I miss them a lot. That is one of the main reasons why I want to go back, to enjoy them.”

It is unlikely that Newcastle will stand in Coloccini’s way if he chooses to leave this summer and it has been claimed that manager Rafael Benitez is already looking at potential replacements for the former Argentina international.

Now according to reports from the Shields Gazette, it has been claimed that Newcastle are considering Steven Caulker as a replacement for Coloccini.

The 24-year-old was once regarded as one of the most promising defenders in England but questionable transfer moves to the likes of Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Liverpool have stalled his career.

Nonetheless, a number of clubs remain interested in signing Caulker and it was believed that Crystal Palace were close to sealing a £4.5million transfer for the defender.

Now even Newcastle are believed to have joined in the race to sign Caulker and Benitez is hopeful of convincing the former Tottenham defender to spurn the advances of Palace to join the ranks at St. James’ Park.