Newcastle United’s Jack Colback is a forgotten man along the River Tyne. The 28-year old central midfielder has not appeared once this term under manager Rafa Benitez. Now, Colback is attracting interest from both Aston Villa and Leeds United.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is said to be interested in moving central midfielder Jack Colback in January, or so says the Birmingham Mail.
Colback, 28, has been frozen out this season, just one year after aiding the club back to the Premier League via an EFL Championship title. Last season, Colback made 29 league appearances with 24 starts, 10 bookings, and a respectable 85.9% pass accuracy. Always one to maintain tidy passing, never recording below an 83.4% rate in seven full seasons in England’s top flight.
A one-time left back (I’ll have more on that below), Colback operates deep in midfield, typically from the number six hole. Though, he certainly has the capability of operating a bit farther forward. Standing at 5’9″, he seems similar to Ashley Westwood in size and production. Lo and behold, his top comparable ended up being none other than Westwood himself.
More from Claret Villans
- Aston Villa dismiss Everton for first win of Premier League season
- Tyrone Mings injured in Aston Villa’s season-opening 5-1 defeat
- Aston Villa draw Hibernian or FC Luzern for Europa Conference League play-off
- Aston Villa sign winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen
- Aston Villa close in on deal to sign Pau Torres from Villareal
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be a Steve Bruce rumor without the player having previously played under the 57-year old manager.
Bruce coached Jack Colback at Sunderland from 2009-2011. He played in 35 of 38 Premier League matches the season Steve Bruce was sacked by the Black Cats, in November 2011.
So, what are Newcastle looking for in a January move? Any sort of fee in all likelihood.
Colback was a £4 million transfer from Sunderland to Newcastle in the summer of 2014. Considering he hasn’t played in a single, competitive match in nine months, his value shouldn’t be considered very high. The Toons may accept a price anywhere near the £1 million mark.
However, it is his wages that seem to be the issue at hand for a potential move. At least, that is the story/rumors circulating online. Colback’s original five-year deal signed in 2014 runs out next summer, 2019. In such, he is said to be on fairly substantive wages – thus hindering movement efforts on the transfer front.
Considering Benitez has completely frozen him out, it makes sense. Newcastle want a deal. Colback won’t agree to lesser wages from another club. Newcastle freezes Colback out until then.
Villa Verdict:
Jack Colback isn’t really a player that should excite Aston Villa. He’s a tested, durable midfielder, but that is about all really. He will not single-handedly lift the Villa midfield in technical grace – especially one so competitive with Whelan, Jedinak, Lansbury, Onomah, and Hourihane all competing for spots.
I wonder, though, if there is any interest between parties in having a crack at left back. The incumbent Neil Taylor is in rather indifferent form on the season; right back Alan Hutton deputizes on occasion, playing well in the process.
Next: Villa vs. Posh: FA Cup Preview & Predictions
A loan move offers very little risk on Villa’s part, should they have cash on hand to pay extra wages. It’s unclear if Newcastle would accept a loan, but it remains interesting nonetheless.