Crystal Palace are keen to strengthen their midfield options this summer, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney emerging as a key target.
The Eagles are looking for a long-term successor to Will Hughes and have identified the 22-year-old as an ideal candidate.
Hayden Hackney on Palace’s Radar
According to TBR Football, Palace have been monitoring Hackney for the past two years and now believe he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League. The club has a strong track record of finding gems in the Championship, having previously signed the likes of Ebere Eze, Michael Olise, and Adam Wharton.
Hackney, a key player for Middlesbrough, has been in impressive form this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 30 Championship appearances. His performances have caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa also showing interest.
Despite Middlesbrough selling Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for £22.5m in January, the club faces a tough challenge in keeping hold of their prized midfielder. With their play-off hopes fading, they may be forced to cash in on Hackney, who is valued at around £20m.
“TBR Football understand Crystal Palace have scouted the 22-year-old across the last two years, and now believe the Middlesbrough No.7 is ready to step up into the Premier League.”
Crystal Palace Also Interested in Van den Berg
Hackney is not the only Middlesbrough player catching Palace’s attention. Sources indicate that the South London club are also interested in Rav van den Berg, a highly-rated central defender.
The Dutchman has drawn interest from Brighton and Brentford, while Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also keeping tabs on him. With Chelsea reportedly keen on signing Marc Guehi this summer, Van den Berg could be lined up as a potential replacement for the England international at Selhurst Park.
Writer’s View
Crystal Palace’s transfer strategy of targeting Championship talent has worked wonders in recent years, and Hackney fits the mould of their successful signings. With Hughes now 29 and entering the latter stages of his career, investing in a young, dynamic midfielder makes sense.
However, competition from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest could complicate matters, meaning Palace may need to move quickly if they want to secure Hackney’s signature.
