Why Leeds United Over Birmingham City Could Be The Ideal Destination For This £40,000-a-week Magpies Star

Why Leeds United Over Birmingham City Could Be The Ideal Destination For Jack Colback

Jack Colback will once again be offered to clubs in January as Newcastle United continue to attempt to change up their first team squad. Colback is earning £40,000-a-week right now which puts him ahead of some first-team regulars and this is despite him being told he was free to go, back in August.

Despite being offered the opportunity to join Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, Colback chose to stick around stating geographical reasons. Manager Rafael Benitez has made his feelings known on the issue, stating there are too many players in this position and telling Colback to train with the youth set-up.

Newcastle are now very keen to sell the player in the winter transfer window and get him off the wage bill entirely, with Leeds United and Birmingham City now showing the most interest in the central midfield player.

It would appear then, that directly or indirectly, the rest of the football world seems to agree with Rafael Benitez that the Championship is Colback’s level and it hopefully means the penny will drop with the player himself now. Both clubs have had Colback watched in recent weeks to check on his fitness. With him having fallen down the pecking order at St James’ Park, a deal could be done quickly with either party.

The 28-year-old Colback graduated from the Sunderland academy and went on to play over 100 times for the club, though of course at the bottom end of the league for most parts. He also had two seasons on loan at Ipswich town at this level, as well as taking part in Newcastle’s promotion from the Championship last term.

Colback’s move from Sunderland to Newcastle in 2014 came as somewhat of a shock to some, though he did support the Toon as a boy. He has played over 90 times for the club to date.

Leeds United are expecting a busy January transfer window and may wish to add more experience to their midfield. Colback would fit easily into Leeds’ system and like former colleague Vurnon Anita at Elland Road, he comes with a very recent experience of having won this division.

Birmingham City are also interested in him, though the Blues are currently in the relegation zone and may yet be in serious danger of dropping to the third tier of English football.

With this in mind, I find it very hard to believe Colback will move as far south as Birmingham and risk dropping two divisions in the space of three or four months. I would say he would hold out for a move to Leeds United should their interest be firmed up in a few weeks time.