As per one of the recent reports by Chronicle Live, Leeds United have put Newcastle United’s veteran midfielder, Jack Colback, on their radar and they had sent their scouts to watch him in action against Reading for the second string at Whitley Park last week. Colback has been completely sidelined by Rafael Benitez from his tactical nous and is keen to get rid of him once the January transfer window opens.
The Magpies are desirous to curtail their wage bill and free up some space in their arsenal and the Englishman is someone whom they want to strike off their books. The 28-year-old was offered the chance to leave for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City in the summer, but he chose to stay at St. James’ Park. He is currently pocketing £40,000-per-week in wages from the Premier League club and seeing the scenario that he is in, it isn’t hard to deduce that his days with Newcastle United are numbered.
Leeds United’s interest in vouching Colback does make some sense, for he is a player with truckloads of experience under his belt. Having emerged through the youth ranks of Sunderland, he paved his way to their senior side and made a name for himself amongst the football fraternity.
He was lured from the ranks of the Black Cats in the summer of 2014 by the Toon and despite playing a part in their promotional campaign last season, it seems that Benitez doesn’t want his services anymore.
Colback would be a solid addition for the Whites to beef up their midfield armoury as he is a player who reads the game brilliantly and does his job quite neatly. He pulls the strings together in the middle, is good with the set-pieces and maintains a decent balance between his attacking and defensive endeavours. Although he wouldn’t be a dazzling signing, he is probably the kind of personnel Thomas Christiansen needs in his side at this stroke of the hour.
The Peacocks have been timorous of late, having lost 4 of their last 6 Championship games and as a result, they find themselves being placed at the 8th spot in the league table with 29 points to their name after 19 games.
Colback has recently been involved in the promotion of a team from Championship to Premier League and his words of wisdom and injection of winning mentality into Leeds United’s ranks might help them in earning a promotion, although his wages might be an issue to ponder upon.
