11 clubs want Colback.

That's a canny few like.




WEST HAM are leading a pack of ELEVEN clubs vying to land Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback on a free transfer.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is eager to launch a fresh round of contract talks with Colback now that the club’s Premier League status has been assured, after the 24-year-old rejected several offers over a new deal earlier in the season.

But the Echo understands that the Black Cats face a major battle to keep hold of Colback’s services, with almost a dozen sides keen on signing the midfielder on a Bosman transfer.

West Ham are now thought to be the front-runners among those suitors, despite previous reports that Newcastle United were in pole position for the Sunderland academy product.

While the Magpies are interested, the Hammers would almost certainly be able to offer Colback a more lucrative package, particularly as there would be no transfer fee involved.

They are not alone, with Colback’s reliability and impressive performances during Sunderland’s run-in making him one of the most attractive Bosmans on the market. Everton and Hull are just two of those also thought to be interested.

But Sunderland have not given up hope of tying Colback down to a new deal before he can officially begin talks with other clubs from June 1.

Poyet revealed after Sunday’s final game against Swansea that he was keen to keep three or four of those facing uncertain futures - with Colback thought to be foremost among them after shining during Sunderland’s miraculous escape from the relegation trapdoor.

“We have some players who we hope will be here – we have talked to them all,” said Poyet.

“Now it will be a case of everyone considering their options.

“They are bound to have options, we have options and we just see how it goes.”

If Sunderland are to stand a chance of keeping Colback, they will need to up their offer for the former Ipswich loanee, who is currently one of the lowest earners among the first-team squad.

Sunderland have paid the price for former director of football Roberto De Fanti making a derisory offer of a contract extension last summer when Colback would almost certainly have penned a new deal if a reasonable proposition had been made.

After that, Colback rejected several improved offers from the Black Cats while the club’s Premier League status was in serious jeopardy, before all contract talks were put on hold last month.

 

He,s got to be worth it, been a fantastic contributor, can play in various, system of him pushing on while Catts holds is working, no transfer fee, get the cheque book out!!

 

I like Colback and would't want to lose him for nothing. But neither would I go over the top or be held to ransom as for me he still needs to prove that he can play consistently at his recent level in the EPL.
Same can be said for various other members of the squad and I would not be swayed too much by form over last 4/5 games when it comes to negotiating new contracts. For me, if it's only about money rather than the shirt, then I would think long and hard if this was the type of player I'd keep at any cost.

Neither can I stand the attitude of players like Frazier Campbell who want to jump ship as soon as the club is relegated. Hope we don't sign him.

 

Are they 11 premier teams?

 

So West Ham, Newcastle and Hull - if we can't give a more attractive package than these three I'd be disappointed.

Also - if he went to one of those three I can;t say it's a step up from Sunderland - step sideways to Newcastle and West Ham but a big step down to Hull

I'd like to keep Colback but, as has been mentioned, there are others who are just as capable in that position and probably offer more goals as well. We shouldn't be held to ransom over him.

 

Fancy him to sign a new contract here mesell like or possibly everton

 

Worth what though? Do we throw silly wages that doesn't make sense just because another club is doing the same? If we do that we've learnt nothing. If he's wanting more than 20k a week I think we'll say tara. He's a tidy player yes but he's not a regular match winner and if we progress as we should then he'll be good enough for the bench and no more within 12 months.

 

Even though we have Coco the Clown managing us (and jabba the hutt as owner), I would imagine most players would see us as a step up to you. I'm not trying to wind you guys up or take the piss but you have just escaped relegation and it is all you seem to do! Also, doesn't Colback support Newcastle? Not sure I'd want him here but he would be good back up I guess

 

With respect, I would say that most players would not see Newcastle as a step up from Sunderland but would see us on very much the same level. Also, what calibre of player will want to sign for Newcastle when the owner has IMO clearly demonstrated his ambition on the field is to do little else than avoid relegation.

 

I honestly believe that Newcastle could be prime relegation candidates next season, so he would be mad to go there..West Ham are a club in a bit of turmoil at present so should be a no no...As for Hull, the least said the better..

 

Makes no sense to spend 5 to 10 million on a new player (someone as good as, or better than, Colback and with premier league experience) to offer them a 35k a week contract if colback will sign a new contract for 40k a week and no transfer fee.

saving 5k a week on wages would be lost on any transfer fees.

Sure we could bring in a player from a foreign league, probably pay them 20k a week and a cheaper transfer fee, but we have no guarantees they would be any good in the premier league

 

But then they're earning more than we're worth it means we can't sell them as they won't take pay cuts and clubs wont match their wages. that extra 20k a week(I'd only offer him 20k) on a five year contract is over 5 million extra anyway. We need good players on long contracts with fair wages imo, to pay 5m for the right player on manageable wages protected by a long contract is good sense to me. Where as luring a player for with over generous wages only repeats mistakes we've made in the past, and we've still spent just as much.

Colback is worth nowhere near 40k a week for me.

 

Swap for Ben Arfa?

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...rfa-ready-for-newcastle-united-exit-1-6613490