Blackburn Rovers are looking to bolster their squad ahead of the second half of the campaign and are reportedly keeping a close eye on one player from the division above.
With hopes of making a push for promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2012, the Lancashire outfit are free-falling down the Championship table once more, having picked up just one point across their last eight league outings.
Furthermore, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side hold the second-worst defensive record in England’s second tier, having conceded 48 goals in just 26 matches, which is 1.84 goals per game. Blackburn are now 17th in the table and are the same number of points off fifth-place West Bromwich Albion as 22nd-place Queens Park Rangers.
According to a report from The Telegraph, the former Premier League champions are keen to add depth and quality to the squad before the winter deadline closes and are one of numerous Championship teams battling it out to sign Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden.
The outlet are claiming that Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End are also in the running for the former Norwich City loanee, but a deal will depend on whether or not Hayden is recalled from his loan spell with Standard Liege, although it has been reported that the Magpies are willing to do just that.
Hayden’s market value currently stands at just over £3 million, a drop-off from his £8.6 million valuation two years ago, as per Transfermarkt.
Furthermore, the Arsenal academy product is capable of playing a variety of different positions, including centre-back, right-back and his preferred holding midfield role in front of the defence.
Writer’s View
Hayden is a player with Championship experience, having played for Hull City, Newcastle and Norwich City, earning promotion twice in his career, which will be beneficial to Blackburn Rovers who have a relatively young squad.
Additionally, having Hayden in the team will offer Tomasson tactical flexibility due to his ability to play several key positions on a football pitch. The only issue may be the 28-year-old’s price tag if the deal is a permanent transfer as Hayden still has more than two years remaining on his current deal.
