Middlesbrough respond as Nottingham Forest make Hayden Hackney approach
Nottingham Forest are the latest club to show a strong interest in Hayden Hackney in the January window.
The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League since the beginning of the winter window, and Middlesbrough are now facing yet more interest in him on deadline day.
Hackney is a central figure for Middlesbrough in their push for promotion, and his stock has been firmly on the rise since he played a key role in England Under-21s’ European Championships victory last summer.
Nottingham Forest are fighting against relegation to the second tier at the moment, and Sean Dyche and Co. have now fixed their eyes on Hackney in their last-ditch attempt to bolster the squad.
Middlesbrough reject Nottingham Forest approach for Hayden Hackney
Football Insider recently revealed that West Ham were weighing up a move for Hackney in January, but while their move hasn’t come to fruition, Middlesbrough are still facing interest.
The 23-year-old has been a standout performer for the Teesiders once again this season, as they are chasing automatic promotion from the Championship under Kim Hellberg.
Hackney’s performances have continued to catch the eye of top-flight clubs, and Middlesbrough have now rejected an approach for him from Nottingham Forest, according to journalist Lyall Thomas.
Forest are understood to have been tracking the midfielder for a prolonged period, but Middlesbrough have no intention of selling their star man just hours before the deadline.
Nottingham Forest floundering in midfielder pursuit
Forest saw a second bid for Arne Engels rejected by Celtic in the early stages of deadline day, and it is now clear that they are floundering in their last-minute pursuit of a midfielder.
The Reds are desperately trying to make an attractive offer to Celtic in an attempt to convince them to part ways with Engels, as their move for Davide Frattesi looks increasingly unlikely.
Hackney is the latest midfielder who has attracted their attention, but given that they have made their first move at such a late stage of the window, it is surely a sign that they are panicked and floundering somewhat in order to get the additions that they need.
With that in mind, Middlesbrough should be prepared for further offers to come in for their star man, as Forest are likely to be on the hunt for that elusive midfield deal right up until the 7pm deadline.