Isaac Hayden’s Portsmouth stay at major risk as Premier League transfer news emerges
Portsmouth supporters felt comfortably satisfied one night in mid-January when they secured the services of Isaac Hayden until the end of the season.
The switch for the former Arsenal midfielder and long-time Newcastle United man felt more like the proven Championship signing Pompey fans were desperate to see, and his presence has helped push on his teammates even if he has not started every week.
Hayden, on loan from St James’ Park where he has another year remaining on his contract, is unclear on his future after his spell at Fratton Park ends – and it hasn’t been ruled out that he could join permanently.
Portsmouth move for Hindolo Mustapha could cost Hayden buy
As reported by London News Online (1 May), Portsmouth appear to be targeting Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha this summer.
The 18-year-old is a central midfielder by trade, and has been influential for Palace’s Under-21 side this season with 14 goal contributions in 23 matches.
Mustapha is also a full Sierra Leone international who has already broken his duck for his national side, putting him firmly in the shop window for Championship clubs and Oliver Glasner keen to loan him out for his development.
It could be a repeat of the routine with Freddie Potts – albeit the Portsmouth loanee slightly older – who is highly regarded at West Ham United to the point Pompey may lose out on another arrangement for him.
While the situation with Potts – who is likely to play his final match at Fratton Park this Saturday against Hull City (3 May) – has ignited the interest in Mustapha, the Blues may be unable to justify a deal for Hayden – either on loan or permanently.
Hayden should be kept at Fratton Park if deal can be reached
Portsmouth and Newcastle United have a good business relationship, with the Magpies delighted for Matt Ritchie when their long-term servant returned to his boyhood club last summer after his release from Tyneside.
Hayden was a swift loan deal to be arranged, and it is players like the 30-year-old who are needed as a backbone to become further established in the Championship.
Like young Mustapha, Hayden also fairly recently became an international, having represented Jamaica at the last break in Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.
| Portsmouth – current central midfield options | Situation |
| Marlon Pack | Not started since 12 March |
| Andre Dozzell | New one-year extension |
| Freddie Potts | On loan from West Ham |
| Isaac Hayden | On loan from Newcastle, talks to be held |
| Abdoulaye Kamara | Yet to start a Championship game |
| Terry Devlin | Primarily used as a right-back |
There is no reason why Pompey cannot have both Hayden and Mustapha in the squad – after all, Potts’ return to West Ham seems inevitable, and Marlon Pack’s influence is likely to become more dressing room-based as time passes.
Andre Dozzell will stay next season after Championship safety triggered an additional 12 months onto his contract, while Portsmouth could do worse than sending youngster Abdoulaye Kamara out on loan next term as he vitally needs experience.