Newcastle United appear to be desperate to get rid of Jack Colback – and Championship rivals Sunderland and Leeds United are both thought to be keen to sign him.
When Jack Colback swapped Sunderland for North East rivals Newcastle United back in the summer of 2014, he probably didn’t expect that he may be heading back to Wearside a few years later.
But according to TEAMtalk, The Black Cats are hoping to bring Colback home to the Stadium of Light in the January transfer window with Newcastle seemingly desperate to get rid.
The midfielder refused to leave St James’ Park this summer, and was demoted to the reserves by manager Rafa Benitez. And it is understood that Sunderland, along with Leeds United, Derby County, Reading and Bristol City, are all interested in handing Colback in escape route in the New Year.
The likes of Leeds could be a tempting destination for the 28-year-old, a big club with genuine hopes of promotion this season. Colback, on paper, should slot straight into a central midfield role where his hard work and reliable distribution would be valued by manager Thomas Christiansen.
Colback’s versatility could also enable him to play at left-back, where Leeds have not settled on a permanent option this season.
But it appears there is a real chance that a return to Sunderland could be on the cards – despite the reaction from supporters when Colback jumped ship to sign for boyhood club Newcastle when his contract expired in 2014.
The Chronicle points out that the Killingworth-born talent was close to leaving Newcastle in the summer with Hull City and Wolves in talks. Colback got cold feet in the end, however, as he was reluctant to leave behind his north east roots.
Sunderland, then, would allow him to stay local – even if it may take some time to win over those fans again.
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