QPR impact should see Hull City reignite summer Newcastle United chase | OneFootball

Isaac Hayden's impact in West London in last season's relegation battle means the Tigers should rekindle their reported interest

Despite the ambition that Hull City have shown in a number of transfer windows since Acun Ilicali's takeover of the club three years ago next month, the Tigers must ensure that savvy negotiations are their priority in January.

It has been well-documented and reflected through figures that compare the market value of squads in the Championship to their current league placement, that the East Yorkshire outfit are, hands down, the underperformers of the 2024/25 season thus far.

The summer transfer window saw former boss Tim Walter and the recruitment team at the MKM Stadium look towards the future through acquisitions such as Abu Kamara, Charlie Hughes, and Mason Burstow among several new additions in what was, in truth, a scatter-gun approach to proceedings.

New boss Ruben Selles can ill afford for the same scenario to pan out this winter, with Hull already in a perilous position, and they have been encouraged by many outsiders, such as Sky Sports' David Prutton, to target players who have experience with the second tier in order to aid a survival bid.

With those factors taken into account, one player City could target has previously donned the Black and Amber, and his impact on QPR's survival bid last term should also impact a potential decision.

Hull City should look at Isaac Hayden's previous QPR impact and rekindle summer links

That is in reference to Newcastle United's Isaac Hayden, who has found gametime extremely hard to come by at St James' Park for some time but has recently proven that he still has the ability to make a strong impact at Championship level.

His last appearance for the Magpies may have come in December 2021 as a result of injury problems and falling further and further down the pecking order under Eddie Howe, but the 29-year-old more-than bounced back from a frustrating temporary spell at Norwich City in 2022/23 to aid the West London outfit's relegation escape under Marti Cifuentes last term.

Hayden only played 17 times, 12 of which were from the off, but his defensive-minded nous in particular, reflected by strong numbers, were a key factor in a major upsurge in form which saw Rangers accumulate 31 points across that timeframe, finishing six points above Birmingham City who were relegated in 22nd.

The Arsenal academy product gave the R's much more steel in midfield alongside the likes of Jack Colback and Sam Field, which allowed Cifuentes' side to regain possession higher up the pitch and punish sides through the attacking qualities the likes of Ilias Chair, Lucas Andersen and Chris Willock, in particular, possessed.

It was therefore, unsurprising that Hayden was continuously linked with a return to Loftus Road in the summer, as well as seeing the Tigers, who he featured for 18 times in the Championship during their promotion-winning campaign of 2015/16, and West Bromwich Albion mooted as potential destinations, as he looks to get his career back on track.

Isaac Hayden, Hull City deal would benefit both parties in the short-term

Ilicali hasn't held back in stating that Selles will be given the funds required to make changes in January, with it being suggested by the 1904 Club Podcast that the club hope to have two new faces in the building by the time they face Leeds United at the MKM Stadium on January 4th, with James Fletcher of the BBC also stating that as many as six new signings could be made.

In terms of a potential move for Hayden, it is one which would benefit all parties, particularly as Jamaica boss and former Hull midfielder, Steve McClaren, believes that the defensive midfielder needs to leave the Mags in the winter window, as he continues to be overlooked.

Based on estimated figures, Hayden's weekly salary at St James' is a figure of £22,000 per week, which would make him the third-highest earner at the MKM behind Ryan Giles and Abdus Omur.

Hull have been crying out for a natural 'number six' this season, especially since Oscar Zambrano was handed a suspension. They have struggled to figure out their best midfield thus far, with Regan Slater, Steven Alzate, Xavier Simons, Gustavo Puerta, and Zambrano all rotated up to this point.

Therefore, the chance to add stability and experience in a young midfield would benefit Selles immediately, and if Hayden is able to replicate the form he showcased at Loftus Road, the midfielder will put himself firmly in the shop window for a summer move, with 18 months of his current contract remaining.