Middlesbrough Braced For Fresh Hayden Hackney Interest
Middlesbrough are preparing for renewed interest in Hayden Hackney, with Teesside Live reporting that Crystal Palace are readying a £20 million bid for the midfielder.
Everton have already made an approach, but Boro are understood to have dismissed that offer as being well short of their valuation. The Teesside club are believed to want around £20 million for Hackney, despite the 23-year-old having only one year left on his current deal.
Palace’s interest comes amid expected movement around Adam Wharton, who has been linked with Liverpool. Hackney has been identified as a possible replacement, and a serious bid from Selhurst Park could place fresh pressure on Boro’s stance.
Middlesbrough are aware that Hackney is likely to attract significant interest after their Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City left them outside the Premier League. Ipswich Town came close to signing him last summer for a similar figure, and Boro believe his progress since then means his value has not dropped.
Newcastle United and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the situation. Former Boro boss Michael Carrick is now at Old Trafford, adding another potential thread to a story that could develop quickly once the window gets moving.
For Kim Hellberg, the ideal outcome would be clarity rather than a drawn-out saga. However, if Palace, Everton and others remain involved, competition could help Middlesbrough hold firm on their asking price.
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