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Battle begins for Alan Pardew to keep stars
HOMESICK skipper Fabricio Coloccini is set to lead an exodus at Newcastle this summer.
Coloccini’s old club San Lorenzo want him, but Newcastle will demand compensation for the centre-back
And that could trigger doubts about the future of fellow Argentinian Jonas Gutierrez.
Boss Alan Pardew had to persuade Coloccini, 31, to see out the season with Toon after he asked for a move in January.
Coloccini’s old club San Lorenzo want him, but Newcastle will demand compensation for the centre-back, who signed a four-year deal a year ago.
Like Coloccini, the versatile Gutierrez, 29, has been on Tyneside for nearly five years and may be unsettled by his pal’s departure.
Long-serving keeper Steve Harper, 38, and right-back Danny Simpson, 26, are free agents and heading out the door.
Defender Mike Williamson, winger Gabriel Obertan and midfielders Dan Gosling, Roman Amalfitano and Mehdi Abeid, could also go.
France is again the focus for the Magpies’ recruitment drive after five cross-Channel arrivals in January.
St Etienne’s £12million-rated striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 23, is a top target, but Arsenal and Spurs are rivals.