The radars of Manchester United, Newcastle United and Spurs have been busy tracking Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney who is rapidly emerging as one of the Championship’s top young prospects over recent years, according to Give Me Sport.
The 22-year-old midfielder is an England U21 international and, while his 2023/24 campaign was disrupted by injury, has been able to remind everyone what he’s capable of this year. He has held down a starting spot alongside new signing Aidan Morris, chipping in with two goals in 11 games.
Assuredly, such a level of performance will not go unnoticed, and fresh claims of interest in the Boro star have since emerged, with a report from Give Me Sport claiming Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have both been tracking Hackney in the early stages of the season. Additional information has it that Manchester United are also an admirer of his abilities.
However, Middlesbrough are determined to hold onto their academy graduate and have no plans to sell Hackney this season. After an underwhelming period last season, the club are targeting promotion this time around and Hackney will be key to that in the middle of the park, so the club’s desire to fend off interest from poaching clubs is understandable.
The talented midfielder is benefitting from playing every week under the management of a former maestro in the guise of former Manchester United player and assistant coach Michael Carrick. As such, he seems better off on the Riverside where he can keep developing his game.
A big move may await Hackney in the years to come but for now, developing his game further is key and the best way to do that will be by playing every week. Despite admiring his talents, that seems unlikely with any of Manchester United, Newcastle United or Spurs at this moment in time.
While transfer interest in Hackney may be something to deal with come the winter, Middlesbrough will be prioritising on-pitch matters for the time being.