(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Sun 31 May 2026 16:41, UK

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Hayden Hackney has emerged as a leading target for Crystal Palace and they may be well-placed to agree a deal in the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best talents in the Championship, and multiple Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his situation.

Crystal Palace are believed to be confident that their Conference League success and subsequent Europa League qualification could give them the edge over their rivals.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Hackney is now expected to leave Middlesbrough after their playoff final defeat against Hull.

While any move will be seen as a gamble due to his lack of experience at the top level, the Eagles have been long-term admirers and could now accelerate their plans.

How close was Hayden Hackney to joining Ipswich Town in the summer? 👀😅 pic.twitter.com/WBWrqRnfPu

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 17, 2025

Could Crystal Palace sign Hayden Hackney this summer?

Football Insider revealed on 20 May that Hackney’s move away from Middlesbrough is “almost inevitable” given the level of interest in his signature.

The midfielder was expected to leave Boro last summer after Ipswich Town agreed terms, but he snubbed the move in favour of remaining at the Riverside.

Crystal Palace are confident they can convince him to finally move on with the promise of European football, with a summer move increasingly likely.

“Middlesbrough will find it difficult to keep Hackney,” Brown told Football Insider.

“After they missed out on promotion, there are going to be clubs looking to tempt him away, it’s going to be hard for them to keep hold of him now.

“I’m told Crystal Palace are going to be one of those interested clubs.

“They’ve been interested in him for a while, and that opportunity might be there now, especially after they won the Conference League.

“Palace can offer him European football and the chance to step up into the Premier League, so from their point of view, they’ll be pretty confident.

“The one thing I would say, though, is that whoever gets Hackney is taking a bit of a gamble.

“He’s regarded as the best player in the Championship, and I think that’s fair, but the Premier League is a big step up and he’s untested at that level, let alone in Europe.

“So Palace’s scouts have to decide whether it’s worth the gamble, and it seems they think he will be, so it will just come down to the money involved.”

Which other clubs are interested in signing Hackney?

Crystal Palace are far from the only club interested in Hackney ahead of the summer transfer window, with as many as half of the Premier League clubs keen.

The Eagles remain confident they can beat rivals to his signature, but given the interest, it is now thought to be unlikely he will stay at Middlesbrough.

Brown told Football Insider last month that Hackney is a key target for Nottingham Forest as they aim to bolster their midfield in the upcoming transfer window.

Forest made a move to sign the Middlesbrough star in January and saw their efforts fall short, but could now reignite that interest to finally get a deal done.

A number of other Premier League clubs including the likes of Brighton, Man United, Newcastle and Leeds have also shown an interest as he remains in high demand.