Middlesbrough are fighting to salvage what they can from this season after falling away from the play-off fight. Boro are performing far below expectations and are at risk of seriously underachieving.
It means on-pitch matters are the absolute priority for all at the Riverside as it stands, but there will be relevant figures who have eyes on what the summer window could bring too.
Regardless of how the campaign ends on the pitch, Boro will be braced for further interest in star performers like Hayden Hackney. The midfielder has long been linked with a move away, and rumours refuse to go away.
TBR Football reports that Crystal Palace want to sign Middlesbrough standout Hackney in the summer as they line up a long-term Will Hughes replacement.
Nottingham Forest are also admirers, while a host of Premier League sides have scouted Hackney. Palace have been among them, and they feel convinced the 22-year-old is ready for the step up and could now act on their interest.
The Redcar-born midfielder is under contract until the summer of 2027 after last signing a new contract in June 2023.
Middlesbrough have been able to fight off interest in Hackney before and they’ll have to do so again this summer if they remain determined to keep him onboard.
In the winter transfer window, Boro had to turn down overseas offers for their midfield star. Portuguese giants Porto came in for Hackney, but their bids fell well short of the valuation set.
It will be intriguing to see if they come back in for him, as it could make for some tough competition for Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest if they do.
Some will argue that Hackney deserves to have already made a step up to a higher level.
The hope has been that he can do so with Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick, but as another promotion push falls by the wayside, Boro may not be able to offer Hackney such a rise in their colours.
Palace have been convinced Hackney is ready for the rise and few who have watched him will disagree. He’s a top midfield prospect and has now played 100 times for Boro, captaining his side on a number of occasions this season too.
It enhances his importance to the side but only further shows the value he could bring to a new club with a transfer too.
