The Toon boss is clearly now prioritising a centre-half in his January shopping and United are also growing increasingly confident on Coloccini’s future.
In the most bullish statement of intent from someone inside St James’ Park yet, Pardew says he expects his skipper’s situation to have been “resolved” by the end of January.
Alan Pardew: “We have not been told no (he doesn't want to sign it).
“We hope by the time the transfer window ends the situation will have been resolved.”