Tottenham Hotspur have joined Liverpool and Manchester United in the battle for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, according to The Standard journalist, Nizaar Kinsella.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have been tracking the progress of Hackney, who is set to feature for Boro tonight against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final first-leg. Manchester United and Liverpool registered their interest months ago, but neither of the clubs have made any concrete moves as of yet.
Hackney has been a staple in Micheal Carrick’s side over the last two seasons and his absence was felt in recent months when he was out due to injury. The team from the Riverside have lost five games since they lost Hackney against Bristol City on the 25th of November. He returned to action at the weekend, completing 45 minutes against Aston Villa in their FA Cup tie, though Boro would lose the match 1-0.
Spurs are now firmly in the race to sign Hackney, but any deal is more likely to be in the summer than in the January window. The Championship side are reluctant to sell a player like the English midfielder mid-way through the season and it would take a very impressive offer from any of the interested clubs to change that stance.
The Middlesbrough academy graduate has a current market value of £7m according to Transfermarkt but he is expected to be sold for a fee higher than that. Hackney is a defensive midfielder but has played at left midfield this season when called upon and has also play as an attacking midfielder in his career.
Manchester United could be a club to keep an eye on in the race, considering their links to the Boro manager Carrick. INEOS are now in charge of the football department at the club and have been reported to be targeting a new British core in their recruitment policy. Hackey could be someone they see fitting into that criteria.
Liverpool are also a club who do not shy away from signings from the Championship. Harvey Elliott and Andrew Robertson are two players the Reds have signed in the past from the league with both going on to have very successful periods at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Nizaar Kinsella states in the report that Boro knows that Hackney will eventually leave the club. They would prefer the interested clubs to ideally start a bidding war when the time comes to sell him though, and the midfielder will then likely have a decision to make himself.
Writer’s View
The interest in Hackney is warranted, and the three clubs named are unlikely to be the last ones throwing their names into the hat to sign the midfielder. A sale is expected to be nearly impossible in the January window but the summer window could provide an exciting battle to see which club can secure his services ahead of the new season.
It would be a surprise if the Boro academy graduate didn’t go on to be a mainstay in a Premier League side. The only question left is which one it’s going to be.
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