Sources: Clubs in race to sign Colchester United's Jack Payne after contract twist

Colchester United star Jack Payne is attracting interest from a number of League One and League Two clubs, sources have told Football Insider.

The 31-year-old was the subject of interest from a number of clubs during the summer transfer window, but the U's were keen to keep him given his important role in the squad.

However, with less than a year remaining on his current contract, the attacking midfielder has still not been offered a new deal at Colchester.

That has placed a number of rival clubs across the Football League on high alert, and they are now considering moves to land him on a free transfer come the end of the season.

Payne has made 10 appearances for Colchester so far this season, with nine of those coming from the start, and remains an important part of Danny Cowley's side.

However, those performances have attracted renwed interest from League One and League Two clubs, and with no new deal on the horizon, they are at risk of losing Payne.

Could Jack Payne leave Colchester United?

Payne has become one of Colchester's most important players since he joined the club from Charlton in 2024, and his potential availability has come as a big surprise.

There is still an expectation that the U's will offer him a new contract before the end of his current term, but the ongoing delays have placed rival clubs on alert.

Last season, the attacking midfielder scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances across all competitions, and those displays have put rival clubs on alert.

Payne, however, has reitterated his desire to remain at the JobServe Community Stadium for "many more seasons" after he made his 100th appearance for the club last month.

However, it will depend on whether he is offered a new deal with no talks having been held yet, opening the door to his potential departure when his deal expires in June.

Which other players could be on the move in January?

League One and League Two clubs are keeping tabs on Payne's situation, but he is not the only player being eyed for a move to the EFL ahead of the 2027 transfer windows.

Football Insider revealed on 2 October that clubs in the third and fourth tiers are keeping a close eye on the progress of TNS star Zach Nolan this season.

A left-back who can also play as a wing-back, he spent last summer at Lincoln City for pre-season and impressed enough to be included in their summer camp in Portugal.

He has since received high praise for his performances which have now placed him firmly on the radar of clubs in England and Scotland.

Nolan has been compared to Trai Hume, and the word coming out of Northern Irish club Ballymena United, who have had both on the books, is that Nolan is a better talent.