According to reports from the Chronicle, Newcastle United have identified new signing Isaac Hayden as the replacement for Cheick Tiote.
It had been reported by Sky Sports recently that Cheick Tiote is currently a transfer target for Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira and as a huge hint that the midfielder will be leaving Newcastle, he did not travel to Essex with the rest of the squad for the Magpies’ 2-0 pre-season victory over Southend United on Tuesday.
While it has not be confirmed as of yet, Tiote now looks certain to be departing St. James’ Park this summer and the loss of the experienced midfielder will surely be a blow for Newcastle, especially as he had played a key role in the Magpies’ unbeaten end to the season in the Premier League last term.
Manager Rafael Benitez has wasted no time whatsoever in identifying a replacement for Tiote though as the Chronicle have suggested that the Spaniard is planning to use new signing Isaac Hayden to fill in the void left by the Al Jazira bound 30-year-old.
Hayden arrived at Newcastle from Arsenal this summer and although a defender by trade, the 21-year-old has managed to impress in a holding midfielder’s role during pre-season.
As a result, the Chronicle believe that Hayden has been viewed as the readymade replacement for Tiote by Benitez and the youngster could be expected to lineup at the middle of the park when Newcastle open their Championship campaign against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 5th.
