‘Top target’ - West Brom and QPR in four-way transfer battle for Newcastle United star

Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden is being linked with a move to West Brom amongst other clubs, according to reports.

Football Insider claim that Hayden has been made available for transfer by the Magpies, and is a 'top target' for the Baggies, as well as Championship rivals Middlesbrough, Millwall and QPR. The 28-year-old does not feature in Eddie Howe's plans and has not featured in Newcastle's latest two match day squads.

Hayden is under contract at St James' Park until the summer of 2026, and Newcastle may have to accept a loan approach to at least recoup some of the wages that they paid for him.

Norwich City last season reportedly paid a loan fee of just over £500,000 according to TransferMarkt, and apparently had a 'performance clause' in the deal but it was based on them buying him if they got promoted, yet they did not even contest the Championship play-offs.

With Hayden’s transfer links considered, it has been reported by journalist Darren Witcoop that the Baggies are open to selling three of their players to free up funds to make moves in the transfer market. Carlos Corberan is carefully having to navigate his way through the market and has so far been limited to the free agent signing of Josh Maja, and the loan arrival of Jeremy Sarimento from Brighton & Hove Albion.

It was reported on Tuesday morning that Championship rivals Bristol City had been pursuing a move for Taylor Gardner-Hickman, originally reported to be a loan move from reports in Bristol, but now a permanent departure could be considered.

Witcoop said in a tweet: “West Brom are ready to sell Taylor Gardner-Hickman to Bristol City while the Baggies remain keen to offload Grady Diangana and Nathaniel Chalobah to cut wages and make room for potential new arrivals.

When asked by a Bristol City fan about the original reports of it being a loan, he responded: “All potential deals on the table as it stands I believe,” and later responded that it was ‘progressing at mo’ when queried about if it was a deal that was being close to happening.