West Ham United are still in for Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden, according to the Northern Echo.
The newspaper claim that the 24-year-old midfield enforcer is the next player likely to leave St James’ Park this summer after the departure of Rafael Benitez.
The Northern Echo name West Ham and Brighton as the most likely contenders for the midfielder with the Magpies having slapped a £15million price tag on his head.
Hayden was previously reported to have set his sights on a move away from Newcastle after the Premier League season had ended, in a move that would see him relocate closer to his family.
The holding midfield player was a mainstay for Newcastle last season, making 28 appearances.
OPINION
Hayden excelled in the middle of the park for Newcastle last season, highlighting why he would be a great addition for the Hammers. The 24-year-old averaged 2.9 tackles per game, the most of any player at St James’ Park, and would be available for relatively cheap at £15million. [WhoScored] With Mark Noble coming to the end of his career, a move for Hayden would be sensible, as he could offer great strength in depth for Manuel Pellegrini and could eventually form a great partnership with Declan Rice. Any move for Hayden will surely depend on player sales, with Pellegrini having set his sights on a striker as his main priority. Marko Arnautovic’s imminent exit will fund a move for a forward, and whatever is left, if anything, could be put towards Hayden. It all depends on how long it takes for Mario Husillos to make a move for a striker, with anything else surely taking a back seat at this moment in time.
