This Sheffield Wednesday January target is reportedly in talks with a Championship rival.
Sheffield Wednesday have already been beaten to the likes of Conor Coventry and Darko Gyabi this month, with the pair joining Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle respectively.
And now it looks like the Owls will be beaten to another midfield target with Isaac Hayden reportedly in talks to join Championship rivals Preston North End.
Reports (via Lancashire Evening Post) say that Preston and Newcastle United have held talks over a possible loan deal for Hayden, who was recently recalled from an unsuccessful loan spell at Standard Liege.
Isaac Hayden poised to snub Sheffield Wednesday
Hayden was reported to have a number of Championship suitors earlier in the month, with Sheffield Wednesday being one; the Owls were linked with the 28-year-old last summer too.
But it seems like Preston could be leading the race for his signature now and for Hayden, it could be a good move.
The Lilywhites are in 12th place of the Championship table compared to the Owls in 22nd, with Danny Rohl’s side now facing a four-point gap to safety after defeat vs Southampton last time out.
Hayden was well-regarded by former Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce during his Newcastle tenure, with the 63-year-old previously describing the versatile Hayden as a ‘valuable’ player.
A common theme starting to emerge
Coventry, Gyabi, and now it seems Hayden; three central midfield targets for Sheffield Wednesday, and three which the club have missed out on.
Sheffield Wednesday’s need for a new central midfielder was made clear pretty early on this month after the departures of Tyreeq Bakinson and John Buckley, and it seems clear that Rohl wants a hardened, holding midfielder.
Hayden is just that; he’s tried and tested in the Premier League and someone who would really add quality and steel to a Wednesday midfield that lacks it.
And although Preston have held talks, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Owls are out of the running, though given the club’s league position, it’s always going to be difficult to tempt players of Hayden’s ilk.
But expect there to be many more midfield targets on Rohl’s wish list this month, and expect the Owls to eventually get a new one in.
Sheffield Wednesday are back at Hillsborough this weekend where they welcome an in form Coventry City outfit; the Sky Blues sit in 6th after a run of one defeat in 12 league games.