Leeds United eye second Newcastle United raid as duo set to depart before transfer deadline

Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick is attracting interest from Championship clubs ahead of Friday’s summer transfer deadline.

The Republic of Ireland international last played for the Magpies in December 2021. Hendrick spent the second half of the 21-22 campaign on loan at Queens Park Rangers before heading to Reading on a temporary basis last season.

Hendrick trained away from Eddie Howe’s first-team squad last summer and now alongside Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser, who joined Southampton on a season-long loan last week.

“I think I had those conversations with those players last year, where they trained separately from the group,” Howe said 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.”

According to Football Insider, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion and Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen are “racing” to sign the 31-year-old. Leeds have already done business with Newcastle this summer after signing Karl Darlow.

Hendrick moved to St James’ Park following his release from Burnley in 2020 and has gone on to make 27 appearances and scoring three goals. His contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Newcastle hope Hayden will follow Hendrick out of the St James’ Park exit door. The former Arsenal midfielder was expected to join Luton Town on a season-long loan after undergoing a medical. The deal, however, collapsed.