Colchester United's manager Danny Cowley has revealed that the club has rejected multiple bids for their talented midfielder Jack Payne during the recent transfer window. This decision underscores the club's commitment to retaining the 31-year-old, who has been a pivotal figure in their squad.
Payne played a full match in Colchester's recent 2-0 defeat against Bristol Rovers, marking the U's first loss in the league this season. Despite the setback, Payne's contributions have been significant, having netted 13 goals and provided six assists last season, which helped Colchester secure a mid-table finish.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the current season, Cowley expressed his desire to extend Payne's stay at the club before the transfer window reopens in January. This news is likely to be welcomed by U's fans, especially after the club made new signings, including forward Kylian Kouassi and midfielder Jay Williams, on deadline day.
In a statement to BBC Essex, Cowley emphasized the value of Payne to the team, stating, "We had a couple of bids for Jack Payne which I think says everything about him. Very rarely do you get bids for League Two boys that are 30-plus [years of age]." He further indicated that any potential offer for Payne would need to be significantly higher, saying, "It would have to be at least quadruple what they offered for me to even consider losing that boy because we love him and he loves us."
Cowley also highlighted the transparency of the club's approach regarding transfer offers, noting that chairman Robbie Cowling allows him to communicate with players about any interest they receive. He added, "Payney loves it here - he didn’t flinch, and we hope to be able to extend his contract in the near future. I haven’t been here for so long but he must be one of the best players to play for Colchester United."
This commitment to Payne reflects Colchester's ambitions as they navigate the current season in League Two. As they look to build on their performance and improve their standing, retaining a player of Payne's caliber will be crucial for their success.
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