By Wayne Veysey

24th Aug, 2021 | 9:20am

Sources: Watford set sights on signing Newcastle midfielder Hayden

Watford have set their sights on signing Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden, Football Insider has learned.

The Hornets want to lure the 26-year-old away from St James’ Park and it is understood that the player is keen on a move to Vicarage Road.

A Watford source has told Football Insider the club are interested in signing the midfielder on a permanent basis before the transfer window shuts next week.

Born in Chelmsford, Hayden has regularly been linked with a return to the south during his time at Newcastle United.

He put pen to paper on a six-year contract at St. James’ Park last September to suggest he was settled on Tyneside.

However, the possibility of a switch to Premier League rivals Watford appears to have turned the centre-midfielder’s head.

Hayden has started the first two games of the 2021-22 campaign for Newcastle and is a big part of Steve Bruce’s plans this season.

The Arsenal academy product is currently sidelined through injury after he was forced off at half-time of last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Aston Villa.

Watford have already added Imran Louza, Juraj Kucka and Peter Etebo to their midfield ranks this summer.

But, Hornets boss Xisco Munoz is keen to bolster his squad further before the transfer deadline after a mixed start to the Premier League season.

An opening day win over Villa was followed by a disappointing loss at Brighton to leave the newly-promoted side 11th in the table.

In other news, Kieran Maguire slams ‘tight-fisted’ Ashley amid an £8.3million Newcastle bombshell.