NUFC outcast threatening to sit on £40k wage unless a 'better offer' arrives this summer - Report
Some frustrating news has emerged from the Chronicle, admitting that Jack Colback could remain at Newcastle to receive his hefty £40,000 weekly wage packet unless a 'decent alternative' comes his way this summer.
After being banished to the U-23's by Benitez last year, Colback finally found a way out in January, joining Nottingham Forest on loan.
He's done a solid job their by all accounts and it looks like Aitor Karanka may try to sign him on a permanent, but it's since been reported that his wage demands could be a stumbling block.
Here's what the Chronicle have had to say on his situation, admitting that he could yet see out the final year of his contract at St James' Park - something Benitez will be desperate to avoid in his bid to create space, reduce the wage bill and raise transfer funds:
"As things stand, Colback will return for pre-season training on July 2 but, if he does, then Benitez will send him to undergo sessions with the Under-23 side at the Academy, just as the Spaniard did during the first half of the season.
"With Colback on more than £40,000 a week at Newcastle, he is understandably reluctant to leave while he still has a year remaining on his deal until a decent alternative offer comes his way."
If the club struggle to sell him, it's claimed that a back-up option will be to send him out on loan once again - however he rejected unfavourable loan moves away last summer so don't be surprised if he does it again.
It's a frustrating situation - and hopefully it'll be ended if Forest opt to sign him on a permanent - but in some ways you can't blame him. He's a local lad so will naturally prefer to stay in the North-East - and it's not exactly his fault the club decided to hand him £40,000 a week for five years.
Don't get me wrong, it will be a nuisance and a bad move for his career if he decides to spend the next year training with the reserves, but wouldn't most people refuse to take a pay-cut to move away from their home?
