Sources: Fulham and Leeds in race to sign Hayden Hackney
Fulham are one of a number of Premier League sides that are eyeing a move to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney this summer.
Hackney has been a key man for Boro over the last few seasons, and Fulham are the latest club to register their interest in his services, alongside the likes of Man United, Leeds and Everton.
Middlesbrough are currently sitting second in the Championship table as they battle to return to the Premier League, but failure to do so could see Hackney move on ahead of next term.
The England youth international came close to joining Ipswich Town last summer, but instead chose to stay at his boyhood club.
He has been one of the best midfielders in the second tier this season, with several top-flight clubs ready to pounce if he becomes available in the summer, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.
Fulham tracking Hayden Hackney as Middlesbrough exit touted
Hackney is close to reaching 150 appearances for Boro since his senior debut in 2021, with five goals and assists each in 34 appearances from central midfield this season.
The 23-year-old could help his boyhood side back into the top-flight this season, but it looks like he will be playing Premier League football next term regardless of whether that happens.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Hayden Hackney’s future is going to be the subject of intense speculation again this summer.
“It was last summer, when he came very close to leaving Middlesbrough before he eventually turned down a move to Ipswich.
“There were a number of clubs looking at him, but Middlesbrough did really well to keep hold of him, and they’ve been really rewarded because Hackney’s been the driving force behind their promotion bid to the Premier League.
“Middlesbrough won’t want to lose Hackney. If they were to win promotion to the Premier League, then they would be quite hopeful that they could keep hold of the England Under-21 midfielder.
“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…Fulham are admirers of the player as well.”
Everton plan to move for Harry Wilson in the summer
While Hackney could arrive at Craven Cottage, Wales winger Wilson may be on his way out of the club this summer upon the expiry of his contract.
Everton made a move to sign Wilson near the end of the winter transfer window, but Fulham had no plans to let one of their key players leave midway through the campaign.
The likes of Leeds, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have been linked to the 28-year-old recently, but Football Insider have revealed that Everton are planning to move for his services in the summer.