Ipswich Town have had a £15 million bid accepted in principle by Middlesbrough for star midfielder Hayden Hackney, with add-ons potentially taking the deal to £20 million.
The 22-year-old, who has long been tipped for a Premier League move, is now weighing up his options after conversations with manager Kieran McKenna.
Deal Edges Closer as Ipswich Convince Boro
The move represents a serious show of ambition from Ipswich, who are aiming to build on last season’s promotion and challenge for a top-flight spot in 2025–26. Hackney had been expected to depart the Riverside Stadium this summer following Boro’s failure to secure a top-six finish. He also switched agents earlier in the window to explore opportunities at a higher level.
Despite interest from top-flight clubs in England and abroad, Ipswich appear to have stolen a march on their rivals. While the player has yet to formally agree to the transfer, the East Anglian club are confident that McKenna’s personal intervention could seal the deal.
Middlesbrough Plan for Life After Hackney
Should the transfer go through, it would mark one of the biggest Championship deals of the summer. Hackney is viewed as a generational talent at Boro, and fans had initially dismissed the idea of him leaving for another second-tier club. That stance may shift now the fee has reached a level that would fund a rebuild.
Middlesbrough have already confirmed the signing of Abdoulaye Kante, but the former Ligue 2 midfielder is not seen as a direct replacement. The Teessiders are expected to enter the market again for another central midfielder once Hackney departs, although no specific names are currently being linked.
The Redcar-born playmaker has been a mainstay in Boro’s side and is admired for his control, range of passing, and composure under pressure. Whether he now joins Ipswich or waits for a Premier League move will depend on how persuasive McKenna has been.
Writer’s View
This move could be a game-changer for Ipswich. Hayden Hackney is exactly the kind of signing that turns a promotion hopeful into a serious contender. At £20 million with add-ons, it’s a gamble, but one that reflects Ipswich’s growing ambition and financial muscle under McKenna.
For Middlesbrough, it’s a bitter pill, especially given Hackney’s local roots and importance to the side. But if they reinvest wisely, it could soften the blow. Ipswich now face a key test: securing the player’s signature and proving they can offer the kind of upward mobility he’s been craving.
