Newcastle set to retain captain Fabricio Coloccini after San Lorenzo end interest

Defender has asked to leave St James' Park

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini (GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini looks likely to remain at St James' Park beyond the current transfer window after Argentinian club San Lorenzo announced he will not be joining them.

The Independent revealed last week that the centre-back wanted to return to South America after four-and-a-half years on Tyneside.

Coloccini and his representatives have been holding talks with Newcastle this week to seek a resolution which had so far been unsuccessful. Lawyers from both sides were involved in the discussions, adding to the complexity of an issue that has further compounded the growing problems for manager Alan Pardew.

Yet San Lorenzo, where Coloccini's father works as a youth coach, announced on their official Twitter feed that their move for the former Deportivo La Coruna defender was off.

The Argentinian club tweeted: "Finally, after long negotiations, we announce that Fabricio Coloccini will not join the roster of San Lorenzo.

"It is not possible to release the Newcastle player.. and therefore the club will look for another alternative to strengthen the defence."

Today's announcement by San Lorenzo does not necessarily decide Coloccini's future.

Despite signing a four-year contract extension in March last year it is believed that his wife has already returned to Argentina while the "personal reasons" for his desire to return to Argentina are not necessarily resolved.

Newcastle also unveiled Mapou Yanga-Mbiw today, who many saw as a replacement for the unsettled Coloccini.