West Ham’s attempts to snatch Jack Colback out of the arms of Newcastle have bitten the dust.

The Sunderland Echo revealed yesterday the Hammers had made the defensive midfielder a £50,000 a week offer and that was likely to put the Magpies out of the running.

Colback had in fact been expected to join Newcastle for several weeks but the Irons moved heaven and earth to find a way of bringing him to Upton Park after he had signed a pre-contract with Newcastle..

They had hoped they could find a way to resolve the difficulties but it proved impossible.

A Hammers insider told us exclusively: “We did our best but sadly there’s no way out of the contract he signed. He was keen to join West Ham.”

As ClaretandHugh reported yesterday (Fri) the Irons have been talking to both Colback and Gareth Barry as they bid to fill to strengthen the left sided midfield position.

Talks with Manchester City’s former England star may now be intensified.