Another Midfielder In Swansea Link

It seems that for every player we get linked with at the moment, Burnley are linked as well with speculation this summer already suggesting that the two of us wanted (or want) Chris Wood, Sam Clucas and now Colback.

Colback has never really settled at Newcastle following a controversial move from Sunderland back in 2014 despite having racked up almost 100 appearances for the club.

Rafael Benitez has brought in Mikel Merino to boost his midfield options, whilst he also still has Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden at his disposal, leaving Colback way down the pecking order and on the fringes of the side.

Incredibly Colback is reported to be earning £70,000 a week at Newcastle which could prove to be a stumbling block for both his potential suitors who are unlikely to want to match such a crazy figure.

Newcastle though are keen to offload him off their books and a loan move remains a possibility.

Colback was bought up as a Newcastle fan but it was with bitter rivals Sunderland that he first came through the academy before he moved to join his boyhood side in 2014.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” Colback said at the time of the move. “To come to the team I supported as a boy, my hometown team, will be really special for me. It was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip. If you asked fans around the world the one thing they’d like to do before they die, it would be to play for the team they support and I’ve got the chance to do that.

“I’ve only got good things to say about Sunderland, they gave me my chance and I want to thank the fans and the club for all their support. I hope they can understand the chance I’ve had here to move to my boyhood club. Now I can’t wait to pull on the black and white shirt at St James’ Park for the first time.”

However, the move was – as you would imagine – not so popular at the Stadium of Light with a club statement at the time reading “Jack is a player we have nurtured and developed through our academy system since he was eight years old,” read a club statement. “We gave him the opportunity to become a professional footballer and are therefore extremely disappointed in the events that have led to his departure from the club.

“This wasn’t about money – the club agreed to all of the terms demanded of us during discussions and we were always led to believe that Jack wanted to stay with us. At his and his representatives’ request, final talks were put on hold until the club secured its top flight status. To our dismay however, we were subsequently never given the chance to negotiate with him to stay.

“For him to then leave the club that has supported him throughout his formative years in such a manner, with no chance for Sunderland to recover any of the significant investment that it has made in him as a player, has left a bitter taste.”

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