Following his departure from St James’ Park earlier in August, Football League World has disclosed that both QPR and their Championship rivals Derby County are considering the 30-year-old Jamaican international. They are one of several clubs that FLW is aware are considering Hayden.
A stay at Loftus Road was one of the many loan transfers he made when he was with Newcastle. He signed a short-term contract with the West London team in February 2024, and under Marti Cifuentes, he helped them avoid relegation. During that time, he made 17 league appearances for the team, starting 12 of them.
He is still a player that the R’s are interested in, even though Julien Stephan is currently their manager.
According to Sky Sports analyst Lee Hendrie, Hayden’s inclusion in Stephan’s somewhat youthful team would be ideal for the seasoned midfield player.
“Isaac Hayden, isn’t he an experienced player?” he said exclusively to FLW. [With] his current location, he has experienced a few clubs. He was undoubtedly a vital member of Newcastle for a long time, but he has also played at the Championship level for Portsmouth and QPR.
However, I do believe that [he] is a really good addition. According to my assessment, QPR, in particular, has a large number of young players. In the recent [EFL] Cup, they had one of the youngest starting lineups.
“But I think to have an experienced head in the changing room, around the changing room, if/when he starts, you know, I just think it’s a really good signing for QPR.”
Rangers has made some really intriguing additions this summer. Richard Kone and Kwame Poku, two League One players, have been brought in at the top. Amadou Mbengue, a former center-half for Reading, was another player they signed in the third division.
Supporters have a lot to be pleased about. The one area where Stephan’s team might use some improvement is midfield size. Although they have many skilled players, none of them are able to break up play and win duels with their toughness like Hayden did in blue and white two seasons ago.
He demonstrated that skill when he was last at Loftus Road, as he made exactly the same number of appearances and starts for Portsmouth following another winter move down south last term. Everything suggests that the R’s would benefit greatly from this agreement.
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