‘Done deal,’ says Newcastle United midfielder after a double transfer reversal.
Newcastle United are said to have completed a late transfer exit three days after the English market closed.
Standard Liege in Belgium are reportedly preparing to take Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden on a season-long loan.
The 28-year-old had a terrible end to the English transfer market last week, as he failed to secure deals to Premier League team Luton Town and Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
Hayden, on the other hand, has been offered a lifeline in Belgium, where the transfer market does not close until Wednesday. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, a loan transaction without a buy option has been executed.
“DONE DEAL,” he wrote on Twitter. It’s Isaac Hayden signing day at #StandardLiege! The #NUFC midfielder will finally be loaned to #RSCL with no option to purchase… Confirmed.
“Been told the Englishman is already very committed to the contribution he can make to the team.”
The former Arsenal midfielder is no longer needed at St James’ Park after being locked out of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans since the start of last season, which he spent on loan at Norwich City.
The Canaries had an obligation to sign Hayden if they were promoted back to the Premier League, but they fell far short by failing to even make the Championship play-offs.
Rafa Benitez bought Hayden in 2016 and he helped Newcastle win the Championship in his first season. He has made 171 appearances for the club in total, though he did not play again until December 2021 after being dropped out of the 25-man roster for the second half of the 2021-22 season.
Newcastle will have successfully offloaded Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, and Ryan Fraser, three players who trained away from Howe’s first-team this summer, albeit on loan.
“I think I had those conversations with those players last year, where they trained separately from the group,” Howe previously stated. “That was only so I could keep control of the numbers I was working with and keep the players who were going to be a part of our season focused.”
“To be honest, I don’t see that changing.” Those lads have done exceptionally well, and they have been outstanding players and servants to the football club for many seasons. We obviously admire them, but there are moments when you need to make a clear break and focus on the guys who will be a part of our season next year.”
