West Brom, Leeds United & Sheffield Wednesday ‘lining up bids’ for Newcastle United outcast

West Brom have been credited with an interest in Newcastle United outcast Jeff Hendrick, with the Magpies happy for the player to depart St James’ Park ahead of Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.

The 31-year-old joined Newcastle on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, signing a four-year deal but has become a forgotten man in the north east. He spent time on loan at Queens Park Rangers, joining in January 2022 for six months.

He made the loan move to Reading last summer, spending the entire season at the Berkshire club as they were relegated from the Championship.

Football Insider report West Brom, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen are now ‘racing’ to secure the player’s signature. The midfielder has one year remaining on his deal at Newcastle, with the Championship trio linked with him said to be ‘lining up bids’.

Hendrick last played for the Magpies in December 2021 and trained away from Eddie’ Howe’s first-team squad last summer with the midfielder not part of the manager’s plans at St James’ Park. Isaac Hayden, who had previously been linked with the Baggies, was also training away from the group alongside Ryan Fraser who has now joined West Brom’s Championship rivals Southampton.

“I think I had those conversations with those players last year, where they trained separately from the group,” said Howe previously. “That was only so I could control the numbers that I was working with and maintain the focus of the players that were going to be part of our season.

“I don’t anticipate that changing, to be honest. Those lads have done very well, and they’ve been great lads and servants to the football club over many seasons. We certainly respect them, but sometimes you have to make a clear break and focus on the players that are going to be part of our season next year.”