Exclusive: Watford Join Race for Former Newcastle Midfielder Isaac Hayden as QPR Lead Chase

Watford are ready to make a move for Isaac Hayden, SportsBoom sources can exclusively reveal.

The Hornets lost their Championship opener and boss Paulo Pezzolano is desperate to add a strong defensive minded midfielder to his squad.

Hayden terminated his contract with Premier League Newcastle United by mutual agreement a fortnight ago and is in talks with a number of Championship suitors. 

Our sources understand that QPR and Derby County have already approached the 30-year-old.

But they have also been told the Hornets are also interested in signing the versatitle player, who came through the ranks at Arsenal. 

QPR are the frontrunners to land Hayden’s signature, although Derby boss John Eustace is desperate to beat the club to the player’s services.

Hayden would be a major coup for a Championship club, bringing a wealth of experience whilst becoming an instant member of the leadership group.

He made 33 appearances during Newcastle’s promotion in the 2016/17 season and was a regular for the club in the top flight until a long-term injury at the backend of 2021.

Return to West London?

The Jamaican international enjoyed his loan spell with QPR in 2024 and also had a short spell at Portsmouth last term.

However, it is understood Pompey will not enter the race for the free agent.

Hayden ended his nine-year tenure at the Magpies earlier this month after being told by Eddie Howe he could leave the club in 2022.

And in a wide-ranging interview he said: “I had other options but I wanted to play for them [QPR]. I took a big pay cut to go there.”

“QPR was like a much made in heaven. I’d have loved to have made that permanent.”