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According to the Express and Star, Newcastle United have rejected an approach from Championship outfit West Brom to sign unsettled midfielder Isaac Hayden. 

What’s more, The Mirror have claimed that Aston Villa are also interested in securing the 23-year-old’s services in this January transfer window.

The former report also suggests that the former England under-21 international would be keen on a departure from St James’ Park due to family reasons.

Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare's rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window...

Hayden is far from a key figure in Rafa Benitez’s plans, although he has started all of their four previous fixtures in all competitions in recent weeks. The Arsenal academy graduate has made just eight Premier League appearances for the Magpies this season in total however, only half of which came as a member of the starting XI.

However, Benitez must cling onto Hayden until the end of the season at least. With the Tyneside club unlikely to receive any backing in the transfer market from owner Mike Ashley, the manager must retain as much of his squad as possible to ensure some depth in the second half of the season. 

Though his long-term future is almost certainly elsewhere, Newcastle cannot afford to lose Hayden now.

What do you think, Newcastle fans? Should Hayden be allowed to leave in this transfer window?