Newcastle United transfer interest surfaces but obvious hurdle for Preston North End and others

Preston North End are said to be involved in a four-way transfer battle for want away Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden. 

Hayden is on a season-long loan at Belgian outfit Standard Liege and will need to be recalled if any move is to take place. Parent clubs tend to have a clause in loan deals that can allow them to be recalled half-way through their spell.

The Telegraph is reporting that Preston are keeping tabs on Hayden’s situation in Belgium. North End are, though, claimed to face competition from their Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers, as well as Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle. 

Standard Liege have just made a managerial change after parting ways with Carl Hoefkens. Croatian boss Ivan Leko is reported to be the new manager and will return to Belgium for his fifth spell in the country. It is reported by Get Belgian and Dutch Football News that Liege are in financial difficulty after reporting losses.

It is unsure yet whether there is any money available to sign players and that spells bad news if Hayden is recalled. Hayden was due to join Luton Town in the summer, but his move to Kenilworth Road fell through. West Brom, QPR, Millwall and Middlesbrough were linked with a move then too - and Hayden is now a reported target for four other English clubs.

The Magpies, according to Football Insider, are said to be in favour cutting short the loan and their preference is to loan him to an English team. The 28-year-old, however, could have some protestations against a potential move after a revealing interview. In October, he went on the record to say that believed that he was above the level of the Championship and rejected the opportunity to remain in England. 

Speaking previously about the move, Hayden said to Belgian outlet Walfoot:  “I had options in England, but as I got older I wanted to try something different. I will be 29 at the end of the season. It was the right time for me to try a new championship; a new challenge. With no disrespect to the Championship, I think I’m better than that when I’m at my best. 

“I have played for three of the best teams in the division, I know what I can do when I am fit and I preferred to change leagues to continue performing at a high level. I was playing every game for Newcastle, got injured and didn’t play again. Things can happen very quickly in football. My focus is only on Standard and we’ll see if one day I want to return to England.”

Hayden - under contract with Newcastle United until 2026 - has made 11 appearances for Standard Liege this season with no goals or assists but ten starts and two substitute appearances.