Newcastle United set to terminate loan agreement - lined up to join another club in January

Newcastle United are reportedly set to terminate Isaac Hayden's season-long loan spell at Belgian outfit Standard Liege.

The 28-year-old joined Liege in September after moves to Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday fell through during the final week of the summer transfer window.

Hayden has gone on to make 11 appearances in Belgium but has missed four of the last five matches. And according to Football Insider, the Magpies are ready to recall the former Arsenal man and loan him to an English club, likely to be one in the Championship.

After returning from last season's loan spell at Norwich City, Hayden trained away from Eddie Howe’s first-team over the summer before jumping at the opportunity to move to Belgium.

Speaking previously about the move, Hayden said: “I had options in England, but as I got older I wanted to try something different. I will be 29 at the end of the season. It was the right time for me to try a new championship, a new challenge.

“With no disrespect to the Championship, I think I’m better than that when I’m at my best. I have played for three of the best teams in the division, I know what I can do when I am fit and I preferred to change leagues to continue performing at a high level.

“I was playing every game for Newcastle, got injured and didn’t play again. Things can happen very quickly in football. My focus is only on Standard and we’ll see if one day I want to return to England.”

Newcastle are open to signing a midfielder in January after losing Sandro Tonali until 2024. Hayden, however, won't be handed a second chance on Tyneside, despite being under contract until 2026.

Hayden was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2016 and in his first season helped Newcastle win the Championship title. In total, he has made 171 appearances for Uniteed, though last featured in December 2021 after being left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of the 21-22 campaign.