Exclusive: Middlesbrough plan to accept offer after Everton news
Middlesbrough only plan to accept transfer offers for Hayden Hackney this summer if they are unsuccessful in their bid to win promotion from the Championship.
Hackney has a host of admirers in the Premier League right now, but Middlesbrough are confident that they can keep hold of their star man this summer if they return to the top flight.
Kim Hellberg’s side currently sit second in the Championship, with Hackney having scored and assisted five goals each in 34 appearances this season.
The 23-year-old was close to joining Ipswich Town last summer before he refused the move, and numerous top sides such as Man United and Everton are now interested in his signature.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Boro will only entertain offers for his services if they are not a Premier League club come the summer.
Middlesbrough to stand firm against Hayden Hackney exit this summer
Hackney is close to reaching 150 appearances for Boro since his senior debut in 2021, and has stayed on so far to help his boyhood club back to the Premier League.
They look primed to do so this season, but failure to reach the top flight could see Hackney move on for a substantial fee.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “If they don’t win promotion to the Premier League, it’s going to be a real hard battle to keep hold of him.
“You’ll have Leeds, a lot of other Premier League clubs, (such as) Everton like Hayden Hackney, there’s even been talk that Manchester United could be interested, and Fulham are admirers of the player as well.
“So look, if Middlesbrough don’t win promotion it would seem it’s almost inevitable that he will leave, but if they win promotion, I’m sure Middlesbrough will be confident to keep hold of Hackney.
“He’s going to be in huge demand this summer because he’s such a promising young player, but Middlesbrough will be hoping that if they can win promotion that will allow them to keep hold of him.”
Wolves considering Rob Edwards dismissal as Championship looms
Middlesbrough could well be replacing Wolves in the Premier League next season, after their former boss Edwards departed for Molineux in November.
He has not been able to lift the Old Gold off the bottom of the top-flight table so far, and despite a late draw against Arsenal in midweek, they still look destined for relegation with just 10 points on the board.
Football Insider have now revealed that Edwards is fighting to keep his job as it stands, with owners Fosun still hesitant to keep him in charge in the second tier.
Sources insist that it is not set in stone that Edwards will be in charge of the club for the start of next season, with Boro fans likely to revel in his exit if they do choose to make another change.