Aston Villa are said to be keen on bringing Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback to Villa Park this summer, according to NUFC Blog, via HITC.
Villa manager Steve Bruce, who has previously worked with the 27-year old while in charge at Sunderland, is said to be keen on reuniting with Colback, whose spot at St James’ Park in under threat.
Rafa Benitez is said to be keen on bringing Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva to Newcastle in this transfer window, who would take Colback’s spot in the squad should he sign.
Colback is reportedly available for a fee of around £5.2 million and has several potential suitors in the Championship,but Villa, this season’s favourites to win the league, are in pole position.
Villa are keen to bolster their midfielder options this summer, and had a £500,000 deal for Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan turned down last week. Colback’s price is much higher, but at 6 years younger he looks like a more attractive fit.
Colback, who made 115 appearance for Sunderland between 2008 and 2014, and had two loan spells at Ipswich Town, has made close to 100 appearances for the Magpies since joining from the Black Cats on a free transfer.
Colback was the first player since Lionel Perez in 1998 to move directly from Sunderland to Newcastle.
Once described as one of the most underrated player in the Premier League while at Sunderland, the signing of Colback would give Villa one of the strongest midfield’s in the Championship, teaming up with the likes of Leandro Bacuna and Mile Jedinak.
