Nottingham Forest are close to signing Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season, according to The Northern Echo.
Colback is out of favour with Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez and the Spaniard has been keen to get the midfielder of the wage bill at St James’ Park.
The former Sunderland man has one year left on his contract at Tyneside, but has been excluded from the first team and was left out of the pre-season tour of Ireland.
Aitor Karanka was impressed with Colback after he joined the Reds in the January transfer window.
Now, the former Middlesbrough manager is ready to make a permanent move for the midfielder as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion next season.
The 28 year old made 16 appearances for the club during his time at the City Ground, scoring one goal, which came on the final day of the season against Bolton Wanderers.
He joined the Magpies in 2014 from rivals Sunderland and has made 93 appearances for Newcastle.
Benitez is keen to shift Colback as quickly as he can in order to start bringing in his own players.
Colback’s current wages are in excess of what Forest are willing to pay, but Karanka is hoping that the two parties can come to an agreement in the next seven days.
The Reds have already flexed their financial muscles in the transfer window so far, and the signing of Colback would provide some much needed top flight experience in the Forest dressing room.
