Report shares Benitez’s plan to try and keep Isaac Hayden at Newcastle

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Isaac Hayden reportedly wants to leave Newcastle United, but Rafa Benitez is not currently prepared to let him go.

According to a report from the Chronicle, Rafa Benitez has devised a proposal that he hopes will convince Isaac Hayden to decide to stay at Newcastle this summer after he handed in a transfer request.

Chelmsford-born Hayden has asked to leave the Magpies so he can head south and be closer to his partner and baby daughter. The Chronicle reports that Brighton are eyeing a £10 million move for the 23-year-old.

But the report suggests that Benitez has no intention of letting the former Arsenal trainee leave without a fight. According to the Chronicle, the Spaniard is planning to offer the midfielder regular days off, while he is also prepared to be flexible with his training sessions.

It certainly says a lot about how valuable Benitez deems Hayden to be that he is not willing to sell him despite another team being prepared to put an eight-figure bid on the table.

Hayden did not play a particularly prominent role at St James’ Park last term – he made just 15 starts in the Premier League following their promotion – so several supporters would probably suggest that accepting any bid that comes in from Brighton should be seriously considered, especially as Benitez’s apparent frustrations in the window continue.

The Chronicle’s report does allude to the fact that Benitez is concerned about the prospect of replacing Hayden, but it would appear to make sense to cash in on him if he is unhappy. But perhaps, his plans to try and keep Hayden at the club will work and the utility man can go on to prove why Benitez was so keen to keep him around next season.