Shields’ Solano bid falters as Hartlepool star looks set to retire
UNCERTAIN FUTURE ... Nolberto Solano.
AN audacious bid by non-league South Shields to sign Newcastle United legend Nobby Solano looks set to fail – as the Peruvian prepares to retire from football altogether.
The Gazette exclusively revealed online yesterday that the Mariners were preparing an offer for the midfielder, who has fallen out of favour at Hartlepool United.
But the bid looks set to fail with the Peruvian international ready to hang up his boots.
Shields boss Jon King was keen to explore the possibility of Solano coming to Filtrona Park, and left a message with the player’s agent last night to see if the midfielder would be interested in signing for the Northern League Division One club, as well as working for his coaching business.
He said yesterday: “I was made aware of the possibility of Solano being available, and it’s certainly something I would be interested in.
“I know Nobby does a bit of coaching, and if he’s keen to stay involved in that, and keep playing football, then we could make him an offer.
“It may not happen, but it is worth looking into.”
But sources close to the star – capped 95 times by his country – have indicated that he is set to call it quits on his playing career rather than drop down the divisions, and instead concentrate on forging a career in coaching.
Solano has found himself out of the first-team picture at Victoria Park since the sacking of friend and manager Mick Wadsworth in December.
Solano made 240 appearances for Newcastle in two spells, scoring 45 goals, and has also played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and West Ham United.
He joined Hartlepool in the summer after spells at Hull City and Leicester City, linking up again with Wadsworth, who was his assistant manager at St James’s Park.
Wadsworth was sacked before Christmas however, and Solano has only played once under new manager Neale Cooper, as a late substitute in the 2-1 defeat at home to Scunthorpe on January 2.
He was again left out of the matchday squad for Pools’ 4-0 win over Carlisle United on Saturday.
Solano’s expected departure from the Vic comes after Cooper declared last month that the midfielder did not feature in his immediate plans.
n HEBBURN Town are in action tonight when they host North Shields in the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.
The second round tie was postponed last month.
Twitter: @rossgregory9
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