According to the Barnsley Star the former Fulham star asked his agent to call Chairman John Dennis to arrange a meeting with manager Glyn Hodges "to discuss my long-term future.
"I was quite happy until I heard there were rumours going around. I was sub for the reserves and called into a meeting with the manager at 9.15 the next morning," Hayward said.
"He told me my name had been circulated and asked me if I had my written request with me. I said I hadn't."
Hodges stressed that Hayward had wanted a move. "He's got a year on his contract, what did he want a meeting about?" the manager asked.
"He has requested a transfer but he went about it the wrong way. I asked him to write out his request. He said that it would take six pages. That's ridiculous, it only needs two sentences."
Hayward commented: "It's become clear from the way this has been handled that I do not figure in the manager's plans. Of course that is his right, he picks the team but at no time did I request a transfer.
"This wasn't about me not playing in the team and throwing the toys out of the pram. I've never accepted second best in my career, I want the best for Barnsley and the team. I thought about this long and hard.
"We've all got varying opinions. I wanted a meeting with the manager, I was willing to have a discussion."
Last week he was dropped from the first team squad but was at Oakwell on Saturday watching the 1-1 draw with Swindon.
"I discussed going to the game with my wife. I went, I've got nothing to hide," he said.
Although his family home is in the Midlands, he maintained that he was committed to Barnsley and stayed in a flat in South Yorkshire for four nights a week. "I want to play for Barnsley," he stated.