Hayden responds as Portsmouth given fresh hope of Fratton Park return
Portsmouth remain in the hunt for midfielders during this summer’s transfer window as the Championship season approaches.
John Mousinho was reliant on loan signings Freddie Potts and Isaac Hayden in centre-midfield last season and remains short there.
Potts and Hayden have both returned to their parent clubs, and Pompey had seemingly given up on a Fratton Park return for either of them.
However, a new social media post has sparked fresh hope that Hayden could be on the move this summer.
Hayden reacts on social media after being snubbed for Newcastle tour
Hayden has been at Newcastle since 2016, but has fallen out of favour in recent years. Before his loan spell at Portsmouth, he was loaned out to QPR, Standard Liege and Norwich.
He’s back at St James Park for now, but he has been left out of the team’s tour of Asia.
Charlie Bennett, a Newcastle-based blogger, took to social media platform X on Thursday (24 July) to comment on Hayden’s omission.
He said: “By leaving him at home, all this does is fuel speculation over Isaac Hayden’s future.”
Hayden replied to this message with a cry-laughing emoji and a thumbs-up emoji, seemingly showing support for Bennett.
Portsmouth fans on X have since taken the opportunity to urge Hayden to return to Fratton Park, many believing the player being left behind means only one thing for his Newcastle future.
Portsmouth could do a lot worse than bring Hayden back to Fratton Park
Hayden did well during his short time at Fratton Park last season. He made 17 appearances and marshalled the midfield well in key victories that helped Pompey avoid relegation.
While he didn’t do anything spectacular, he provided great cover for the defence and was rarely outperformed by his opponents.
Mousinho has publicly praised Hayden since his loan ended. He has since suggested that his age and wage demands could prevent him moving to Portsmouth permanently.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 17 | 953 | 0 | 0 |
However, as the season edges closer, another loan deal for the 30-year-old looks like an increasingly smart move. His future at Newcastle looks doomed, after all.
Portsmouth have signed John Swift and Mark Kosznovszky looks set to arrive this week, but Pompey could do with one more reliable midfield enforcer in their squad.
Hayden fits the bill, and Pompey fans would be excited to see him return to the South Coast.
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