Football
Exclusive: Middlesborough’s Hayden Hackney Attracts Premier League Interest from Crystal Palace, Spurs, and Villa
Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is catching the eye of Premier League clubs with a potential £20million move on the cards. Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa are all interested in the 22-year-old talent. Boro's play-off hopes may determine his future.
Getty Images / Molly Darlington
Hayden Hackney is attracting Premier League attention, according to sources close to SportsBoom.
A number of top flight clubs are lining up to offer the Middlesbrough midfielder his first taste of Premier League football.
The 22-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best homegrown talents outside of the top tier.
Hackney has impressed during his time at the Riverside and has come on leaps and bounds under the watchful tutelage of five-time Premier League winner Michael Carrick.
WHERE WILL HE GO?
Scouts from a number of Premier League clubs have watched Hackney command midfield in the Championship this season.
With the virtues circling to lure Adam Wharton away from Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace are targeting the Boro youngster as a potential replacement for their £50 million man.
But they will face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa for his signature, which could create a welcome bidding war for the Teesside club.
Ange Postecoglou is a huge admirer of the player and is understood to be desperate to strengthen his midfield this summer if he remains in the Spurs' hotseat.
Aston Villa are set to reignite their interest in the player having previously been keen to land him.
COULD HE STAY?
Boro are in the hunt for the play-offs in the Championship, but it has been a hugely frustrating season for the club — who are three points adrift in the race.
It is understood that failing to get promoted to the Premier League will all but confirm Hackney’s departure from the club, where he came through the ranks as a youngster.
Hackney has been capped at U21 level by both England and Scotland and Boro could command a fee in the region of £20million with the central midfielder contracted until 2027.
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