OPINION
Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has long wanted to leave the Magpies, but his recent resurgence means that the club can now expect to receive a much bigger transfer fee than they once would have for the 24-year-old.
The Englishman reiterated his desire to leave St James’ Park again on Saturday: “I think I’ve made very clear to the club’s hierarchy, and the fans, I’ve got my side of the story out, I’ve made it pretty clear how things go,” he said in the club’s match day programme, as per the Chronicle’s news and transfer centre [06/04; 13:34].
“I don’t think there will be too many questions. I don’t think the summer is going to be an issue, it’s pretty well documented how I feel,” he finished.
That’s a pretty definitive verdict from Hayden. We all know the score by now, the former Arsenal man wants to move back down south in order to be closer to his young family.
That’s been the case for about a year now, but the Magpies will surely receive a much bigger transfer fee when they do decide to sell Hayden than they would have in the past two transfer windows.
That’s because his form since coming into the turn of the year has been tremendous. Before, Hayden was probably viewed merely as a quality Championship player, but he has proved over the past few months that he is undoubtedly a capable Premier League performer.
He has been Rafael Benitez’s most reliable central midfielder this calendar year and he continued that with another strong display against Crystal Palace last time out.
There will undoubtedly be some Premier League sides looking at the Magpies star and taking notice, especially with his well-known desire to leave the North East. Before, other top flight outfits may have dismissed Hayden as an average player, now they have to view him as a real asset to their side.
So if Benitez does heed Hayden’s request and move him on this summer, as he should, then the Spaniard can console himself with a much improved transfer fee.
